Barry Dolan , NCPS - Therapist in United Kingdom

Emotionally-Focused Therapy
CBT and ACT
Attachment work

About Barry

Barry Dolan is a counsellor registered with NCPS and has five years' experience. He trained at Writtle University/College in Chelmsford, Essex, and holds a Professional Diploma in Psychological Counselling at level 5. He works across a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, addiction, bereavement, self-esteem, relationship and intimacy issues, and stress.

Barry uses an integrative style. He combines Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) with other approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Sessions focus on naming strong feelings, understanding patterns, and trying small, practical changes between meetings. He aims for clear, straightforward conversations that help people manage symptoms and everyday difficulties.

In practice Barry has worked in schools, in private practice, and in child and adolescent mental health services. That background informs his work with people coping with life changes, parenting strains, caregiving stress, chronic health challenges, and related concerns. He also lists additional focus areas such as attachment issues, adoption and foster care, and body image.

Sessions tend to centre on what is happening now and on ways to respond differently. Barry draws on client-centred techniques to listen and reflect, and on evidence-based tools from CBT and ACT when helpful. He also uses attachment-based ideas and EFT to look at relationship and emotion patterns.

People should expect clear steps for getting started and practical suggestions they can try between appointments. International clients may be accepted and sessions are held in English.

How his approaches work for online sessions

Barry uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help people name and work with difficult emotions and to spot repeating patterns in close relationships. EFT focuses on feelings and how they shape responses, which can help with intimacy-related struggles and attachment issues.

He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which centres on noticing thoughts and feelings while taking steps that reflect personal values. ACT can help when stress, anxiety or avoidance are getting in the way of daily life. Barry combines these with attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships affect current patterns and reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Barry will talk with clients about goals and preferences and then use the methods most suited to their situation. This is a collaborative process where adjustments are made as therapy progresses.

Please confirm current session options before booking, as the profile does not list specific formats. Online sessions are often useful because they reduce travel, allow easier scheduling around work or care commitments, and can make it simpler to maintain continuity when life is busy.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsGrief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Intimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separation Domestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Men's issues Midlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depression Post-traumatic stress Pregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Hypnotherapy Imago Relationship Therapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems Systemic Therapy

Experience

5+ years

Listed in

United Kingdom

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does he help with?

He supports people with anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, self-esteem and stress, plus many related concerns such as eating, sleeping, parenting and career strain.

What is his therapeutic style?

He works in an integrative way, combining Emotionally-Focused Therapy with client-centred, CBT and ACT methods to address emotions and behaviour.

How much experience does he have?

He has five years' experience, including work in schools, private practice and in child and adolescent mental health services.

What are his credentials and where is he based?

He is registered with NCPS and trained at Writtle University/College in Chelmsford, Essex, working from the United Kingdom.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with him?

Yes, he accepts international clients as noted in his profile.

How are sessions paid for?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I begin working with him?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.