- Person-centred approach
- Trauma-informed practice
- Reflection and boundaries
About Shirley
Shirley Banton is a BACP counsellor in the United Kingdom with 11 years' experience. She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, self-esteem concerns and related problems such as eating, sleeping and intimacy difficulties. Shirley also supports people with ADHD, bipolar and career-related concerns and offers coaching-style support where helpful.
Her approach grows out of a person-centred foundation combined with trauma-informed practice. Sessions are collaborative and paced to the client, with attention to emotional safety and opportunities for deeper reflection when it fits the person. She seeks to help people notice repeating patterns, rebuild confidence and practise clearer boundaries.
Shirley often works with survivors of domestic and relational abuse, including coercive control and long-term relational trauma. She draws on experience from over 20 years in further and higher education, which informs her understanding of anxiety, burnout and identity issues faced by students and educators.
In practical terms Shirley prefers steady, consistent work rather than quick fixes. She is suited to people who are willing to reflect at their own pace and who want to understand how past experiences affect present choices. Her sessions aim to slow things down, make difficult feelings easier to name, and find realistic next steps.
She offers online therapy to increase access for people in different places. If someone is looking for immediate advice or highly directive coaching, Shirley's more reflective style may not match their expectations.
How her approaches translate to online work
Shirley draws on person-centred practice and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy that can work well in remote sessions. Person-centred work focuses on listening carefully, reflecting feelings and thoughts, and helping people notice patterns that keep them stuck; it suits exploration of shame, guilt and relational issues. CBT involves looking at thoughts, feelings and behaviours together and practising small changes or experiments between sessions to reduce anxiety and improve mood.She also uses mindfulness principles to help clients develop moment-to-moment awareness and soothe overwhelming emotions. Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. Shirley works collaboratively with each client to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as the work evolves.
Confirm available session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific delivery methods. Many people choose online sessions because they fit into work or family schedules, reduce travel time and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Discussing practical arrangements early helps make sessions easier to fit into everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
11+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, self-esteem and related concerns such as eating and sleeping problems.
How would she approach shame or guilt?
Her work is person-centred and trauma-informed, so she focuses on reflective conversation, understanding patterns, and pacing the work to the client rather than quick fixes.
How much experience does she have?
She has 11 years' experience as a counsellor and over 20 years' experience working in further and higher education settings.
What professional credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is registered with the BACP and works from the United Kingdom.
Does she run sessions in other languages or for international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific session formats.
How do sessions cost and are there subscription terms?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.