Linda Mather (nee Spencer) , BACP

Linda Mather (nee Spencer) is a psychotherapist with twenty-six years of clinical experience who also works as a trainer, clinical supervisor, and author of counselling textbooks and self-help books. She practices an integrative style, drawing on cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, psychodynamic, solution-focused, and transactional analysis methods to shape an approach that meets each person’s needs. This flexibility allows her to design dialogue and treatment plans that reflect the unique circumstances and goals of the individual.

She currently works with children and adolescents, addressing concerns such as self-harm, emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, communication difficulties, bullying, bereavement, and friendship problems. Over the course of her career she has supported people facing a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, relationship and parenting difficulties, career challenges, obsessive-compulsive problems, substance misuse, and recovery from trauma or emotional abuse.

Linda offers a warm, understanding therapeutic relationship and a calming space to explore difficult feelings and experiences. She recognises that taking the first step can be hard and provides steady support through that process, helping people to build practical coping strategies and move toward the changes they want to make. She is a member of the BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which is a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and build psychological flexibility by learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to meaningful action. It can be useful for stress, anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes.

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on understanding patterns in relationships that originate from early attachments. Working through these patterns can support improvements in intimacy, communication, parenting, and relationship difficulties.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) addresses unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns by teaching practical skills for managing symptoms and improving day-to-day functioning. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive issues, and many stress-related concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist works collaboratively with each person to consider presenting needs, personal goals, and preferences, and will adapt methods over time to find the best fit.

Online therapy offers flexible options such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to access support from different locations and to fit sessions around work, family, and other commitments. These formats allow therapists and clients to maintain continuity of care and to use approaches like ACT, attachment work, or CBT effectively in a remote setting.