Stephen (Steve) Rudkin , BACP, NCPS

Stephen (Steve) Rudkin is a seasoned counsellor with more than 26 years of experience working across health, social care, education and secure settings as well as in private practice. He has extensive practice in drug and alcohol services, mental health, advocacy, nursing, domestic abuse work and child and family services. Over the course of his career he has supported people with short-term and longer-term difficulties, tailoring the length and focus of work to each person's needs.

He trained in person-centred and psychodynamic approaches and practises in an integrative way, drawing on different therapeutic skills and techniques to suit individual circumstances. In sessions he explores both current difficulties and relevant patterns from the past to help identify what is contributing to problems and to find practical ways forward. His work aims to help people recover a sense of energy and discover inner strengths that support lasting change.

Stephen offers individualised psychological and emotional care for a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, depression, grief, parenting and intimacy-related concerns. He is experienced in working with matters such as attachment and abandonment, codependency, domestic violence, process and substance addictions, men's issues and HIV/AIDS, among others.

He holds BACP and NCPS credentials, reflecting recognised professional training and membership of counselling bodies. For further information visit www.steverudkin.com.

Therapeutic approaches and online options for flexible care

Stephen brings together client-centred, mindfulness and psychodynamic ideas to shape online work. Client-centred therapy focuses on a warm, non-directive relationship in which the therapist listens closely and supports the client to find their own solutions - it is well suited to people seeking acceptance and clearer self-understanding. Mindfulness therapy teaches practical ways to notice thoughts and feelings with less reactivity, helping with anxiety, stress and difficulties with emotion regulation. Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences and relationship patterns influence present behaviour, which can be helpful for recurring relationship problems, attachment issues and deeper emotional patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Stephen works collaboratively with each person to identify what fits their needs, goals and preferences. Together they decide whether to emphasise listening and present-focused work, mindfulness skills, or exploration of past patterns, and they can adapt the approach as therapy progresses.

Online sessions - including video calls, phone appointments, live chat and text-based messaging - offer practical flexibility for those balancing work, family or mobility concerns. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care across distances and time zones, while allowing therapists and clients to focus on progress in ways that suit each person's routine and communication style.