Diane Rathfield

Diane Rathfield is a counsellor who helps people with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem and life changes. She supports people facing relationship strain, addiction concerns, grief, sleep and eating difficulties, and work-related stress. Diane also works with clients living with ADHD, bipolar and other mood challenges, and with those needing help around parenting, career decisions and compassion fatigue.

Diane is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, known as BACP. She has four years of professional practice and more than two decades of caring experience in other roles. That background informs a practical, down-to-earth way of working with people.

In sessions Diane aims to build an open, non-judgemental space where clients can talk through thoughts and feelings. She listens and helps people identify small changes they can try between meetings. The first meetings typically look at immediate concerns and realistic goals for therapy.

Her style is collaborative and paced to the person’s needs. Diane will check in about what is helpful and adjust her approach as your priorities change. She encourages clients to bring everyday problems and practical questions into the work.

Sessions are intended to focus on what matters most to the client, whether that is coping strategies for anxiety, making a career plan, or working through bereavement. Prospective clients are asked to confirm current session options before booking.

How therapeutic approaches shape online counselling

Evidence-based therapeutic techniques focus on practical tools and clear conversations. One common approach helps people recognise unhelpful thinking patterns and try different ways of responding. This can be useful for anxiety, low mood and stress by breaking problems into manageable steps. Another approach concentrates on building emotional awareness and safer ways to express feelings. That method can help with trauma, relationship difficulties and attachment concerns by teaching grounding and emotion-regulation skills.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist works collaboratively with each person to decide which methods suit their goals and situation. That means trying things, checking what helps, and changing direction if needed so the work stays relevant to your priorities.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people keep continuity of care when life circumstances change, and can be a practical way to maintain regular contact while working on longer term goals.