Counsellor profile
Dorcas Upshall, BACP
Counsellor - stress and relationships
See online counselling options- CBT
- Client-Centred
- Kink-aware
About Dorcas
Dorcas Upshall is a counsellor and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) with three years' experience. She works with people on stress, anxiety, relationship and trauma concerns, and lists a wide range of other issues she supports including addiction, grief, eating and self-esteem difficulties. Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients from the United Kingdom base.
She places the client's goals at the centre of the work and prefers a collaborative way of working. That means talking through what is important to the client, looking at thought patterns and behaviours, and deciding together what to focus on in sessions. This approach is practical and conversational rather than clinical jargon heavy.
Her background includes work in domestic abuse services, women’s centres, pastoral care in schools, LGBT charities, and addiction and recovery settings. She has also taught for over ten years and worked in adult and young person special needs provisions. These roles have informed how she responds to different life circumstances and communication styles.
Dorcas says she is kink-aware and comfortable discussing BDSM and alternative sex culture, and she notes experience supporting people with a range of relationship structures. She also highlights work with attachment issues, body image, codependency and communication problems among her focus areas.
The therapist draws on Client-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy and Internal Family Systems in her work. She will work with people to understand patterns, process past experiences and develop ways of coping that fit their everyday life.
Online counselling approaches and what they involve
She often uses Client-Centred Therapy, which focuses on listening, understanding and responding to the person in front of the counsellor. This approach helps when someone wants to talk through feelings and find their own solutions.She also uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT looks at how thoughts and behaviours affect mood and coping. It can be helpful for stress, anxiety, unhelpful habits and problems such as low mood or sleep disruption.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The counsellor will talk with the client about needs, goals and preferences and agree together which methods to try. That means the plan can change as the work progresses and new priorities emerge.
If you are considering online sessions, confirm the available session formats before you book. Many people find online counselling easier to fit into their week, for example fitting a session into a lunch break, avoiding travel time, or choosing a shorter check-in when energy is low. Registered or accredited professionals can use different ways to meet; check what this counsellor currently offers when you arrange your first appointment.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
3+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and trauma concerns and a wide range of related areas such as addiction, grief, eating issues and self-esteem.
What style of therapy does she use?
Her work combines Client-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy and Internal Family Systems, used in a conversational and goal-focused way.
What experience does she bring?
She has three years' counselling experience and has worked in domestic abuse services, LGBT charities, addiction and recovery, schools and special needs settings.
Is she a member of a professional body and where is she based?
She is a member of the BACP and is based in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the UK work with her?
She accepts international clients; check any cross-border details before booking.
How are fees and payment handled?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Use the See online counselling options button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.
Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.