Liz Jeffries is an online therapist

What attracted you to become a therapist?

A number of different things, but two are personal experience of psychotherapy being transformative for life, and the value of mental health as an aspect of self-care. Taking care of mental well-being I feel is a gift to ourselves that we can offer.

Where did you train as a therapist? 

In Manchester at several different training institutes. I wanted a diverse experience with exposure to many different views of the nature of therapy and to be free to make up my own mind about my identity as a therapist. I feel that it is a useful strategy and one that I offer to people I now work with – the process is a mutual one, where we work out meanings and understandings together.

Can you tell us about the type of therapy you practise?

Yes I am a Transactional Analysis psychotherapist (and supervisor). This may mean different things for different people, but one common aspect which often feels important for clients is that we explore repeating life patterns and identify unconscious beliefs both of which can feel limiting of create a sense of 'stuckness' in life. When together we identify these patterns and beliefs which in transactional analysis are referred to as a 'life script', I can help the client find a way to change what is felt as unhelpful and make life feel more hopeful and enjoyable.

How does transactional analysis help with symptoms of anxiety and depression?

Transactional analysis is a very diverse theoretical approach and there are many ways of using its concepts but one way it can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression is by looking at them as clues for aspects of life in which a person has become stuck. It can help with finding a way to alleviate these symptoms through greater self-understanding at looking at aspects of life which may be the root cause

What sort of people do you usually see?

I see people with a range of difficulties but most say that they are not looking to change behaviours but to have greater self-understanding and to work through recurring patterns or themes. In terms of ages I work with people who are young adults (so from age 18) to people in their eighties who are looking to improve their lives. I work with people too who are going through transitions, and this can be a new role in life, endings of relationships, a bereavement of any other kind of significant change in life.

Have you noticed any recent mental health trends or wider changes in attitude?

I have noticed that people are much more open to access mental health support, and that they have a clear idea for what they are looking for. While this is not always reflective of how a therapeutic process can be effective, the willingness and motivation to engage with therapy is usually indicative of gaining something meaningful from a therapeutic process.

What do you like about being a therapist?

I like the diversity of the type of work that I do. I like meeting people (albeit I work currently exclusively online) and helping to work through difficulties.

What is less pleasant?

I can honestly say that there is nothing that I find unpleasant and I think this is because of the value I place on mental health.

How long have you been with Welldoing and what you think of us?

I was previously a subscriber to Welldoing for about three years and have recently re-joined again, just a month ago. I really like the mission of Welldoing which seems to be to make good quality therapy accessible to clients, with well-qualified and experienced therapists, and also to support therapists to develop their practices. I have not access the peer support group or weekly CPD sessions since transactional analysis has a strong community for these aspects and I am a professional with a strong network developed over fifteen years.

What books have been important to you in terms of your professional and personal development? Do you ever recommend books to clients?

I don’t recommend books to clients. I see the therapy as happening in the therapy room between me and the client. In terms of books that have been important to me these tend to have been in my transactional analysis modality and so deepening my understanding of theory. However, I have also read books about some key issues such as schizophrenia and social context, and the understanding that what happens in therapy can not be separated from society and political issues.

What you do for your own mental health? 

Spending time with family and friends is important for my own mental wellbeing, as are regular walks I take in natural environments. I feel fortunate to live in Manchester which is both a city and also has trails and paths and access to the countryside within a few minutes walk or drive.

You are an online therapist. What can you share with us about seeing clients in this way?

I work online and have done since 2015. I have begun to work exclusively online since 2025. The clients I work with are diverse geographically, not just in the UK but I also work internationally. The only areas I don’t offer therapy in are in the USA and Canada. I feel that this meets the desires of clients, who often find online therapy more easy to fit around their lives

What’s your consultation room like?

I work online and do this from home. I am fortunate to live in a quiet area so there are no disruptions from this wat of working

What do you wish people knew about therapy?

That going to therapy does not mean that there is something wrong, or that there has to be something wrong, but rather that choosing therapy can be an act of self-care.

What did you learn about yourself in therapy?

I learned that sharing my struggles gave me a pathway to changing how I felt about myself and life, that to feel heard and supported by a therapist can be a transformative experience. It was for me. With a therapist it is possible to open up understandings of life and experience, to resolve physical illnesses, and to gradually develop robustness and resilience.