Brenda Clarke-Wills BSc (Hons) Psyche Open MBACP

Compassionate counsellor for stress and relationships

BACP United Kingdom

Experience: 3 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief
Approaches: Gottman Method, Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English

About Brenda

Brenda Clarke-Wills BSc (Hons) Psyche Open MBACP helps people facing stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and relationship strain. She offers a calm, non-judgemental space for people to talk honestly about what is worrying them.

Background and approach

Brenda uses straightforward conversation to help people make sense of how they feel and what they want to change. Brenda has a Bachelor of Science with Honours in psychology and is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP.

She has around three years of combined experience including training and voluntary roles. Her work aims to build self-awareness and practical coping skills so people can manage difficult emotions more confidently.

Her approach is flexible and tailored to the individual. She draws on attachment-based ideas to look at relationship patterns and on cognitive behavioural techniques to help shift unhelpful thinking.

She also uses mindfulness and elements of psychodynamic thinking to help people notice and work with deep-seated emotional patterns. Typical themes Brenda supports include grief, abandonment, body image concerns, caregiver stress, codependency, communication problems, divorce and issues arising after domestic violence.

She also helps with cancer-related distress and ageing or geriatric concerns. Sessions focus on identifying small, useful changes and building resilience over time.

Brenda aims to help clients develop clearer boundaries, stronger emotional regulation and more grounded self-understanding. She works collaboratively and keeps the pace guided by each person's needs.

The emphasis is on practical steps people can use between sessions to feel steadier and more able to cope.

Therapeutic approaches that work online

Brenda commonly uses the Gottman Method to look at interaction patterns and improve communication in relationships. This approach focuses on practical skills for relating to others and can help people change daily habits that cause conflict or distance.

She also draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early bonds shape current relationships and emotional responses. This can help people understand why they react the way they do and learn new ways of connecting. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and test more helpful ways of thinking and behaving, which can reduce anxiety and low mood.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Brenda will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and try methods that fit their needs. The process is collaborative and can change over time as different issues arise.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation from anywhere in the UK or abroad. Phone sessions can be easier when internet bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging suit shorter check-ins, quick questions or people who prefer writing. These options make it simpler to fit therapy around work, caregiving or other commitments while keeping the focus on progress and practical skills.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this counsellor support?

Brenda supports issues such as stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, low self-esteem and depression. She also works with a range of related concerns including abandonment, body image, codependency, caregiver stress and domestic violence.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is calm and non-judgemental, with an emphasis on listening and collaboration. Sessions aim to build self-awareness and practical coping skills rather than focusing only on talk.

How much experience does she have?

She has around three years of experience, which includes formal training and voluntary work. This experience contributes to an integrative practice tailored to each person.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds a BSc (Hons) in psychology and is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP. She practises from the United Kingdom.

Which languages and international options are available?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted. People living outside the UK can work with her through the online formats provided.

What session formats does she offer?

Sessions can be carried out by video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging. This allows flexibility for different schedules and preferences.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions are delivered via a subscription model. The subscription can be cancelled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then arrange sessions according to the therapist's availability. The matching process helps pair people with suitable professionals.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGrief Self esteem Depression

Additional focus areas

Abandonment Aging and geriatric issues Attachment issuesAvoidant personalityBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stress Codependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issuesDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separation Domestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily problemsForgiveness Guilt and shame Impulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Midlife crisis Mood disorders Multicultural concernsNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stress Prejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSelf-loveSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issues Workplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

3+ years

Registered with

BACP

Languages

English