Online Psychotherapy Across the UK
Sometimes the difficulties we face in life — in our relationships, our sense of self, our recurring patterns of behaviour — run deeper than the surface. Psychotherapy offers a space to explore those deeper layers: the formative experiences, unconscious patterns, and long-held beliefs that shape how we live and how we relate to others. Steven Lucas MBACP PNCPS (Acc.) offers professional online psychotherapy by telephone and video, working with clients across the UK.
What Is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a broad term for in-depth talking therapy that goes beyond symptom management to explore the underlying roots of psychological difficulty. While CBT focuses on changing specific thought patterns and behaviours, psychotherapy — particularly psychodynamic therapy — is concerned with understanding why those patterns exist in the first place.
Psychodynamic therapy draws on the idea that our past experiences, particularly in early relationships, shape the way we think, feel, and behave in the present. By bringing these unconscious influences into conscious awareness, it becomes possible to relate to yourself and others in healthier, more authentic ways.
Psychotherapy tends to be deeper and longer-term than other approaches — though brief psychodynamic work is also possible for those with more focused concerns.
How Does Online Psychotherapy Work?
Sessions with Steven take place by telephone or video call, at a time that suits you. They last approximately 50 minutes and are typically held weekly — consistency and regularity are important in psychodynamic work, as they help build the trust and depth that make the process effective.
Steven’s approach is integrative, meaning he draws on psychodynamic principles alongside other therapeutic models — CBT, person-centred therapy, and attachment theory — to meet the unique needs of each individual. The work is collaborative, exploratory, and always led by what’s most meaningful to you.
What Can Psychotherapy Help With?
Online psychotherapy may be particularly helpful if you’re experiencing:
- A sense that you keep repeating the same relationship patterns
- Long-standing low self-esteem or a deep-seated sense of not being “enough”
- Unresolved grief, trauma, or difficult childhood experiences
- Difficulty understanding your own emotions or why you react the way you do
- A feeling that something is “wrong” without being able to name it
- Identity questions or a search for greater meaning and purpose
- Persistent depression or anxiety that hasn’t responded to shorter-term approaches
Why Choose Counselling Central?
Steven Lucas is a qualified counselling psychotherapist registered with the BACP and holds PNCPS (Acc.) status. He has over 20 years of experience working with individuals on some of life’s most profound challenges — across the NHS, university sites, prisons, health centres, and in private practice.
He is experienced in both short-term focused work and longer-term depth psychotherapy, and he’ll work with you to find the approach and pace that feels right. His style is warm, thoughtful, and grounded — creating the kind of secure, reliable therapeutic relationship that psychodynamic work depends on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between psychotherapy and counselling?
In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably — and Steven offers both. Counselling tends to be more focused on specific current difficulties, while psychotherapy typically involves a deeper exploration of longer-standing patterns and their origins. Steven will discuss which approach suits you best at your first session.
How long does psychotherapy take?
This depends on what you’re hoping to explore. Brief psychodynamic therapy might last 12–20 sessions. Open-ended, longer-term work is also available for those who want to explore more deeply over time. There’s no fixed endpoint — you and Steven will review progress together.
Do I need a diagnosis to access psychotherapy?
No. You don’t need a referral, a diagnosis, or any prior experience of therapy. Many people who come to psychotherapy are simply curious about themselves, or aware that something isn’t quite right — even if they can’t put their finger on what it is.
Is online psychotherapy as effective as in-person?
Research and clinical experience increasingly confirm that online psychotherapy can be just as effective as in-person work — including for depth approaches. The quality of the therapeutic relationship is what matters most, and that can absolutely be built over telephone or video.
Begin the Work of Understanding Yourself
If you’re drawn to a deeper kind of exploration — one that goes beyond coping strategies to genuine self-understanding — psychotherapy may be exactly what you’re looking for. Your first session is £10 off. Call Steven on 07979 011763 or email info@counsellingcentral.com to begin.