Dorcas Upshall , BACP

Dorcas Upshall works collaboratively with clients to place their goals at the centre of therapy, helping people explore what feels overwhelming and discover ways to live more authentically. She supports individuals navigating stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma, addiction, grief, body image and other challenges, guiding them to better understand unhelpful thought patterns, change behaviours that no longer serve them, and process past experiences that continue to affect everyday life.

Dorcas emphasises the importance of the therapeutic relationship as a trusting, respectful space where clients can develop practical tools and greater emotional confidence. She holds the BACP credential - membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which indicates adherence to recognised professional standards. With three years of formal counselling experience, she blends compassionate listening with evidence-informed techniques to help clients reach their goals.

Her professional background includes work in domestic abuse services, women’s centres, pastoral care in schools, LGBTQ+ charities, and addiction and recovery settings. She is kink-aware and comfortable supporting people in a variety of relationship structures, and has experience with adult and young person special needs provisions as well as over a decade of teaching. Dorcas draws on this varied experience to respond flexibly to each person she meets, recognising resilience and individuality in every client.

Approaches that guide online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, non-judgemental space where the client’s own goals and choices lead the work. This approach helps people who want to build self-knowledge, increase confidence, and make changes at their own pace.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact and offers practical strategies to shift unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, low mood, and stress by teaching measurable skills for coping and problem solving.

Internal Family Systems explores the different parts of a person’s inner experience and how those parts relate to one another, helping individuals understand conflicting feelings and build internal cooperation. It can be useful for people who carry strong internal reactions related to past experiences or identity.

Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the therapeutic process, and Dorcas will work collaboratively with each client to tailor methods to their needs, goals and preferences. Together they will review what feels most helpful and adjust the plan as work progresses.

Online therapy with Dorcas offers practical flexibility - sessions by video or phone, live chat, and text-based messaging make it easier to fit support into busy lives or different time zones. These options increase accessibility and allow therapy to continue from home, work, or while travelling, supporting consistent progress over time.