Sarah Mac Farlane, BACP

Sarah Mac Farlane is a BACP registered counsellor with nine years of experience. She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, low mood and the aftermath of trauma and abuse, and she can help with relationship strain and parenting concerns. Her approach is practical and down-to-earth, aiming to make small changes that ease daily life.

Sarah uses a mix of well-known approaches such as cognitive behavioural methods, acceptance and commitment ideas, and attachment-informed work. She adapts tools to each person, so sessions focus on what matters to the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all plan. Clients can expect clear exercises and chances to practise new ways of coping between meetings.

Her background includes work across counselling settings over nine years, combining different models to match the problem at hand. This experience shapes a flexible style that pays attention to both feelings and behaviour. Sarah emphasises strengths and practical steps alongside talking through painful memories or worries.

Sessions tend to centre on everyday problems - sleep, motivation, intrusive thoughts, grief, anger and compassion fatigue among them - and on building steady routines and better communication. She also supports people managing long-term conditions, chronic pain and caring roles, and those navigating life changes.

Sarah invites people to take the first step and explore what would help most. She works collaboratively and helps clients set achievable goals, then reviews progress as therapy continues.

How these approaches translate to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice difficult thoughts without getting stuck in them, and on choosing actions that match their values. It can help when anxiety, low mood or a sense of aimlessness get in the way of everyday life. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and uses simple experiments and exercises to change unhelpful patterns; it is often used for anxiety, phobias and depression. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships shape current ways of relating and can be useful for people wanting to improve connection and trust in their close relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals and preferences and then try methods that fit those aims. This is a collaborative process and adjustments are made if something does not feel helpful.

Practical benefits of online sessions include easier scheduling and fewer travel demands, which can make it simpler to fit therapy into a busy week. Some people prefer a shorter check-in if they have limited time, while others like being able to use tools and worksheets onscreen during a session. Confirm the available session options before booking so you know how meetings will be arranged.