Sometimes you know what’s bothering you, but that doesn’t always make you feel better.

Maybe you understand why you feel nervous, why some relationships are hard, or why you keep making the same mistakes. You might have spent a lot of time trying to fix things, but still find yourself acting in ways you wish you didn’t.

Or maybe you’re not even sure what’s wrong. You just know that something doesn’t feel right.

I’m Shelley Treacher, a BACP Senior Accredited psychotherapist with over 20 years’ experience. I offer online counselling and psychotherapy to adults across the UK and Europe, combining talking therapy with a body-centred approach.

We can work together to understand what’s really going on and help you find new ways to feel better about yourself and your relationships.

You may have become very good at understanding yourself.

Maybe you know why you get anxious, can spot when a friendship isn’t healthy, or notice habits that leave you feeling worse.

But just knowing these things doesn’t always make it easy to change them.

Our emotional responses aren’t just thoughts. We also feel them in our bodies. Sometimes we tense up, push our feelings down, or protect ourselves without even thinking about it.

You might find that you shut down during an argument, feel upset when you feel criticised, worry about what others think, or struggle to say no.

In therapy, we can start to figure out why we react this way instead of just trying to stop the feelings.

My approach is integrative and somatic, which menas I look at your thoughts, feelings, and what’s going on in your body, together.

Somatic therapy is sometimes called “body-centered therapy.” It recognises that our bodies play a big part in how we feel stress, relate to others, feel safe, or deal with emotional pain.

We’ll spend time talking, of course. But we’ll also notice what’s happening in your body while we talk.

For example, you may notice your stomach tightening when you describe a difficult relationship, or your shoulders tensing when you talk about something you feel ashamed of.

These body reactions can help us understand feelings and patterns that are hard to explain with just words.

This isn’t about forcing yourself to relax or just doing breathing exercises. It’s about learning to notice what’s happening, being kind to yourself, and finding new ways to respond.

Find out more about somatic psychotherapy

Yes, we can talk about what’s going on in your body during online sessions, just as we would if we were in the same room.

I can guide you to notice physical sensations, emotional responses and changes in how you’re feeling. We can talk about these things together, and you can take things at your own pace.

You don’t need any special tools or any experience with therapy before we start.

Some people find it easier to relax and talk openly when they’re at home. Others like being in the same room as their therapist. Neither is necessarily better for everyone.

The most important thing is to find a way that feels right for you.

People come to therapy for many different reasons. You might be struggling with something happening now, or beginning to recognise patterns that have been with you for years.

Some of the difficulties I work with include:

• Anxiety and stress: feeling overwhelmed, constantly on edge, worrying or finding it difficult to switch off.
• Relationships and attachment: repeating painful patterns, fear of rejection, difficulty trusting others or losing yourself in relationships.
• Low self-esteem and self-criticism: feeling not good enough, perfectionism, shame or struggling to put your own needs first.
• Emotional eating and compulsive behaviours: using food or other habits to manage difficult feelings, and wanting to understand what lies underneath.
• Grief and loss: finding your way through bereavement, separation and significant changes in your life.
• Emotional overwhelm: reacting strongly to situations, shutting down, or feeling disconnected from yourself.

You don’t need to fit neatly into one of these categories. Sometimes therapy begins simply with a sense that something needs to change.

Sessions are usually 50 minutes long and take place weekly.

We meet by video, so you can attend from home or another private, comfortable space.

Our first sessions are an opportunity to explore what has brought you to therapy, what you’re hoping for, and whether my approach feels right for you.

From there, we work together at your pace.

Sometimes our work will involve exploring experiences from your past. At other times, we’ll focus on what’s happening in your life now, how you’re responding emotionally, and what you might need.

I don’t believe therapy should be about telling you how to live your life. It’s about helping you understand yourself more deeply and feel more able to make your own choices.

I’m Shelley Treacher, a BACP Senior Accredited psychotherapist based in Bristol, working with clients online throughout the UK and across Europe.

I’ve been a qualified psychotherapist for over 20 years and have a Master’s degree in Somatic Body-Centred Counselling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

My work brings together psychological understanding, emotional awareness and the body’s responses to our experiences.

I’m also the host of The Stress & Anxiety Recovery Podcast, where I explore anxiety, relationships, emotional eating, self-worth and the psychology of everyday life.

My style is warm, compassionate and collaborative. I believe that understanding ourselves is important, but that change also comes from how we experience and relate to ourselves.

[Read more about me]

Is online counselling as effective as face-to-face therapy?

Research suggests that online psychotherapy can be effective for many psychological difficulties, although suitability depends on the person, their circumstances and the type of therapy being offered.

The important thing is finding an approach and a therapist you feel comfortable with.

Do I need to know anything about somatic therapy?

Not at all. You don’t need to know anything about body-centred therapy before we begin. I’ll explain what we’re doing as we go along, and we can work in ways that feel comfortable for you.

Can I have online therapy if I live outside the UK?

Yes. I offer online psychotherapy to adults in the UK and Europe, subject to any local requirements governing online therapy.

How long will I need therapy?

That depends on what brings you to therapy and what you want to work towards. Some people benefit from shorter-term work around a particular difficulty, while others prefer longer-term psychotherapy to explore deeper patterns.

We can discuss this together and review how things are going.

How do I know whether you’re the right therapist for me?

You can arrange a complimentary 15-minute consultation. This gives us a chance to talk briefly about what you’re looking for, and for you to ask questions before deciding whether to book a session.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before coming to therapy.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, struggling in your relationships, or simply tired of finding yourself in the same painful patterns, we can begin by exploring what’s happening for you.

You can choose:

• A free 15-minute call
• Or book a full session to begin

Shelley Treacher  – BACP Senior Accredited Psychotherapist

Online psychotherapy and counselling across the UK and Europe.