Michelle Wood
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I offer both online and face to face sessions to adults, couples and young people.
Each person is unique, with an individual set of experiences, circumstances and history. This will inform how you see and feel about yourself and also how you would respond to challenging situations and relationships. In creating a safe therapeutic relationship, together we can explore how you can gain control of the situations you face that may feel overwhelming or challenging.
Perhaps self-defeating, learned behaviors are impacting you? It is possible to change your perspective and responses, if that is part of the goals you set for yourself. This is an opportunity to focus on the things that are important to you, no matter what they may seem to others.
We can explore what happened throughout your life, rather than only what is wrong at the moment. Through looking at the bigger picture we can gain more perspective in what brought you to this point in your life.
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). My work related experience includes building relationships with a diverse range of people. I embrace the themes of freedom, choice, responsibility and courage which can be experienced once the anxiety of the “givens”; mortality, isolation, meaninglessness and freedom are faced, as stated by Irvin Yalom. Working in the present and facilitating my client to search for ‘that something that matters enough to live or die for’ and their sense of purpose.
I have worked with a range of presenting issues including; depression, anxiety, eating difficulties, relationship issues, general anxiety disorder, loss and grief, sexuality, trauma, self-harm and suicide prevention. Whilst a lot of these things can be interlinked with one another, its about finding what it is like for you and what meaning it holds.
Interests
My particular area of interest lies in mental health and its link to physical and social well being, especially concerning family and connections made throughout life. There is a fine line between mental wellness and unwellness.
Early intervention and support can prove to make or break a situation. I hope that you will reach out towards your own well-being and I trust that you will do what is right for you. Working with adults we look to the past to inform the present which empowers you to make choices and changes for the future.
Working with Young people
My work with an agency who specialised in working with Young people and my experience of working with younger children has opened my heart to the challenges they face during various transitions as the grow. Whether it be bullying, new schools, parents divorce/break-up, family structure changes, their identity and beliefs about themselves and who they are in the world are being impacted. It is a privilege to offer support to them during these crucial years which impact the rest of their lives. I working creatively, enabling them to verbalize or process the many feelings they have and facilitate them in making sense of the world to reach a happier place.
How Counselling can help
Taking that first step to reach out and search for direction, answers and help can be so difficult. By looking for a counsellor that is right for you, you have already taken that first step, so well done! We all need a connection with relationships, a sense of identity, belonging and purpose. Together we can explore the challenges, hardships and difficulties you may be facing right now. Getting help early on can make all the difference to healthier and happier well being and avoid feeling like the situation is greater than your ability to handle it.
What to expect
Getting to know yourself and your relationships better may give you the perspective you want to enable you to feel more equipped to deal with your situation. You may even change the direction of your journey in life if you choose to? What ever your individual needs may be, I would be happy to discuss this with you initially telephonically or via e-mail.
Counselling is a investment in yourself and your wellbeing as you increase you self-awareness and ability to make choices that serve you well rather than following automated responses.
How I work
Some people enjoy or are able to just talk. Others may be interested in drawing/painting or using stones, soft toys, games, etc. to facilitate the therapeutic work we do together. I enjoy finding ways of working that are right for you. I will be happy to work in a more creative way to help you engage with your emotions and gain clarity, if this is suitable for you. The choice is yours and we will explore this together.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Diploma in Integrative Counselling, including Person Centred Theory (PCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Transactional Analysis (TA).
- BACP Certificate of Proficiency of Voluntary Registration
- I abide by the ethical code of conduct of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapist (BACP) to ensure that the safety, wellbeing and individuality of my clients are paramount throughout my work.
- I am fully ensured.
- I hold an enhanced DBS (CRB) certificate with different agencies
- Sand tray Introduction (Karla Burley – Open Toy Box)
- Working creatively (Adlerian Society).
- Time to Talk Bucks Training Conference
- ‘Working with Eating Disorders’ and ‘Working with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder’ delivered by Susan Scupham, from CAMHS.
- Data protection and Safeguarding training.
- Couples training
Member organisations
The Association of Christian Counsellors and Linked Professions is a professional body representing and setting standards for Christian counselling and care in the UK. The organisation is made up of various different membership categories, including Counsellor and Accredited, and requires all members working as counsellors to undertake Continuous Professional Development on a regular basis.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Working with Children and Young People.
Enhanced DBS checked.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
£50 for both online and face to face sessions
£65 for couples
(I offer a complimentary initial telephone conversation to discuss any questions you may have about counselling, what to expect and the way I work. This give us both an idea of whether we will be well suited to work together.
When I work
Availability does vary, please contact me via e-mail stipulating what days and times you are free and needing counselling on. I can then advise you if we can match our schedules.
Further information
Please call to discuss your personal circumstances.
