Counselling West Bridgford
About Me
Hello! Thanks for stopping by.
My name is Michelle, and I’m a UKCP-Accredited Psychotherapist, Couples Therapist and Relationship Coach.
I love working with clients, seeing the positive change in them and their lives over the time we spend together.
Working as a Psychotherapist
Clients can be nervous or excited (or both!) when they first arrive, and opening up initially may be difficult and painful, so I do my best to make that first encounter feel OK. It can be a relief to finally be heard, and after a first appointment you’ll likely feel a little bit of hope that things can change. Seeing clients move from that first contact through to the day, whenever that is, when we sit together and agree our work is done is indescribable; it’s such a privilege to do the work I do.
I describe myself as a “Generalist” meaning I see clients across a range of difficulties or topics. In no particular order: adverse experiences, trauma, grief, life-changing or life-limiting illness or conditions, struggle to express feelings, anxiety, worry, depression, low mood, body issues, problematic or worrying alcohol consumption, substance abuse, hopelessness, relationships (of all kinds), stress, abuse, family difficulties, bullying, work trauma, you may self-harm, change of circumstances, illness, and family life, are the most common.
Everyone Welcome
I welcome everyone across all belief systems, gender, sexuality, background, ethnicity, physical condition, age, neuro-diverse / typical, and political persuasion. My one regret is my office is on the 1st floor with stairs (no lift) which restricts my ability to welcome clients with restricted mobility (unless safe home visits can be arranged).
I don’t like to use language like disorder, broken or ill, but I appreciate you may use that language and that’s ok. I just prefer to think of our work as an opportunity to heal wounds and reveal more of your authentic self. Of course, more often than not, it does require us to discuss and explore painful experiences and feelings.
Carl Rogers (the founder of Person-Centred Psychotherapy) described all of us as doing the best we can in the circumstances we find ourselves in and it is that positive mindset that I find most helpful in therapy as we work through those difficult topics.
My work is about providing that safe, confidential, warm, welcoming, non-judgmental environment for us to explore your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and experiences. Sometimes it may be challenging for you, and much of our work is about ensuring we go at a pace and extent of challenge that feels safe for you whilst still “exploring your edges”.
In 2022 I decided it was time to get some specific Couples Therapy education and embarked on the Couples Institute training. I’m incredibly proud of the work I’m now doing with couples to help them move through difficulties, and it also plays a part in one-to-one appointments where clients struggle with intimate relationships. The approach I use, rather than thinking of a relationship as broken or failing, is based on a growth model, creating a relationship that thrives and is set for the future rather than just patched up.
Having worked extensively in business I’m also able to offer an added perspective for clients or employers where the business / corporate context is relevant.
A new career
After over 30 years working in business in various roles within accountancy practice, large corporates and family businesses, in 2014 I decided to head back to university to retrain as a psychotherapist, whilst offering business consultancy to earn a living during the 4-year MSc / professional training. I saw my first clients in 2015.
I loved my work but was always curious and followed my interests rather than a set career plan. Having said that, I always wanted my own business, and knew that this was an excellent route to achieve that.
My favourite part of being a leader had, for a long time, been the monthly one-to-ones I had with my staff, where the agenda was open for them to talk about anything they wanted. And I’d increasingly become interested in how we think, make decisions, and what we can do to change our thought patterns and decision-making.
I’d had therapy myself (by the way, I tend to use psychotherapy, counselling and therapy interchangeably) and began to see the benefits of speaking to someone in a confidential, non-judgmental space who had reliable, evidence-based psychological knowledge.
How can you be sure I know what I’m doing?
I agree it’s vital to understand my counselling credentials.
Sometimes it can be perceived that academic credentials in the therapy field don’t matter, focussing on the personality of the therapist instead.
I completely agree that the relationship is vital for successful therapy and the evidence backs that up. However I’m a passionate advocate for the combination of academic, personal and clinical requirements to be demonstrated to a high level. We don’t accept doctors and nurses without academic training, so why counsellors and psychotherapists? So that’s why I chose the course I did.
I’m a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist with an MSc in Person-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapy so have the certificates I need to give you comfort that someone’s checked I know what I’m doing and that you’ll be safe.
Take a look at my UKCP profile to verify my counselling credentials.
Learn more about accreditation on the UKCP website.
At the beginning of 2023, I decided to offer my wider skills and experience to the UKCP, and am currently on the Board of Trustees.
I’ve had therapy too
I had 160 hours of therapy during training. You may be wondering why this matters.
It’s helpful for a therapist to know what it’s like to be a client.
Perhaps more important though, it’s vital that I have a heightened level of self-awareness when I’m with clients.
For example, if I had un-resolved trauma I may be unable to cope with a client who presents with a similar experience and the session becomes about me not the client. It helps ensure I have no unconscious, biased views, with a strong emphasis to remove potential for discriminatory practice.
In general, the higher-level training helps therapists to notice when they feel an emotional, cognitive or physical reaction when engaging with a client, and then understand that reaction (in supervision if necessary). Through that process I can be at my best for my clients.
What next?
I offer a free, no-obligation telephone consultation which can help you decide if therapy is for you.
I know it can be a difficult step, but it really would be great to hear from you, and I promise to do my best to make that initial chat a positive experience for you.
My office is close to Trent Bridge cricket ground which makes me easy to find, is on a few bus routes and has free parking,
Head over to the booking page where you can book online . Alternatively email me michelle@counsellingwestbridgford.co.uk, text or call 07968 767232.