Dorcas Upshall , BACP

Dorcas Upshall is a BACP-accredited counsellor who places each person's goals at the centre of their work, collaborating to help people become more authentically themselves, clarify difficulties, or deepen self-understanding. She offers a calming therapeutic presence when life, work, family, money, anxiety, or stress begin to feel overwhelming, creating a space to explore and process what matters most.

In sessions she helps clients map out thought patterns that may be holding them back, identify behaviours they want to change, and make sense of past experiences that continue to affect them. The relationship she builds with each person is grounded in trust and respect, and she supports people to develop practical tools that build emotional confidence and capability.

Dorcas draws on a broad background in domestic abuse services, women's centres, pastoral care in schools, LGBTQ+ charities, and addiction and recovery work. She is kink-aware and comfortable working with people in a variety of relationship structures. Her experience also includes work in adult and young person special needs provisions and more than ten years as a teacher, roles that have shaped her understanding of human resilience and the many ways people cope with challenges. Dorcas is a member of the BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, which reflects her commitment to professional practice.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Dorcas works with several therapeutic approaches tailored to each person's needs. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on empathetic listening and supporting a person to explore their own values and choices - it can help with self-esteem, identity, relationship concerns, and navigating life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and offers practical strategies to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and change unhelpful patterns. Internal Family Systems invites people to notice and dialogue with different inner parts of themselves, which can be useful when working with trauma responses, shame, and persistent patterns that feel stuck.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dorcas will work collaboratively to identify what fits best based on a person’s needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts methods as therapy unfolds so the work remains relevant and practical.

Online therapy with Dorcas is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, giving flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent support from licensed professionals and therapists without geographic limits, which can help maintain progress during busy or changing periods of life.