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I generally work from 

Monday to Thursday - 8.30am - 4pm 

However I do have a level of flexibility outside of these times so do get in touch.  

Hello, my name is Michelle and I am a Person Centred Counsellor. 

Finding the right counsellor can be overwhelming because there are so many of us, so let me help you to decide if I am the right one for you by explaining how I work.

So what does Person Centred mean?

It means that you are the heart of the counselling. I'm not going to tell you what to do but what I am going to do is give you a safe space so you can explore and understand the things you aren't happy with. There is no judgement so you can discuss anything you need to without fear.  

At my core is a belief that you are the expert in your own life and my role is to help you navigate any issues that are standing in your way. 

I am known for my gentle and calm approach and my authenticity.

I have worked with individuals and also over the last 6 years have worked with couples in conflict. This included 2 years working with RELATE.  

I have also worked with NHS staff that were affected by COVID offering 5 sessions to help them explore the impact of a very traumatic time.  

My counselling practice is all on Zoom which I started during COVID. Initially I wasn't sure if a clients experience would be the same online as face to face but my clients tell me that they like being in the comfort of their own home for sessions so I have continued with this. 

Once you have made initial contact with me I will ask for your email address and I will send you a Zoom link for your first session. (See My first session for more details of that) 

Things you might come with and how I would support you 

You might find that past experiences are affecting you in the present and you are ready to think about them and move forward. This might feel painful so I will support you to face these things. I will help you to acknowledge any feelings you may have squashed down to protect yourself.

You might be feeling anxious but not really understand why. I will encourage a curiosity where you can explore the anxiety and the possible reasons for it.

Maybe your relationships never work out and its confusing because you feel like you did everything right. I have experience of working with couples in conflict so I can think with you about patterns that you feel are unhelpful.

You might feel that you are not living authentically, and you want to get back to that person you know you can be. I will help you to live in your truth and embrace the wonderful human that you are. You might not believe that right now but I will support you to acknowledge, accept and love yourself as you are.

So if you are a person who wants to gain more self- awareness then person centred counselling could be for you. 

Whatever you come to me with I will provide a gentle and nurturing approach. I will go on your journey with you as you explore things that might be painful. We will go at your pace.    

I will support you to be curious about the things that are troubling you, to acknowledge them, to understand them and to let them go. 

During your first session we will talk through the counselling contract. This includes things like 

• Confidentiality 
• Practical elements of the session such as how to cancel. 
• I will think with you about whether you want a set amount of sessions or a more open ended approach.
• It's your opportunity to ask any questions you might have.
• I will gather a few bits of contact information.  

This first session gives you an opportunity to share the reason you are seeking counselling and for you to decide if I am a good fit in meeting those needs. 

Often people feel a bit nervous at their first session and this is perfectly normal. I will do what I can to make you feel at ease.