Melissa Cliffe MA, UKCP
About me
I am an experienced psychotherapist offering short term counselling, open ended psychotherapy, group work, couples counselling and supervision. You may be in the midst of a crisis, looking for resolution around a particular issue, feeling dissatisfied with life or in need of a space to unburden your thoughts and feelings in a safe setting.
Counselling and psychotherapy can help you to live in a way that feels more authentic and to respond creatively, rather than habitually, to circumstances and others. Our work together might include increasing your self awareness, re-evaluating habitual thinking and behaviour, and processing thoughts and feelings. This can help you to find more fulfilment in life. This is done within the context of a relationship that offers warmth and acceptance as well as appropriate levels of challenge.
Just some of the things that counselling and psychotherapy can help with are anxiety, existential questions, being highly sensitive, anger management, identity, low self-worth, abuse, bereavement, depression, work stress, relationship issues, traumatic experiences, transition and much more.
If you are interested in finding out more please contact me to arrange an initial assessment session. This gives us the opportunity to explore what you want to gain from therapy, and to see if we feel comfortable working together. If you wish to proceed we would normally meet weekly for 50 minute sessions and regularly review our progress to ensure your needs are being met.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
Masters degree in Gestalt Psychotherapy (2008)
Accredited by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
Completion of Stages 1-4 of EMDR Training
Experience outside of private practice
Primary tutor on the Humanistic Psychotherapy MSc at Metanoia Institute
Mental health and wellbeing trainer
Group facilitation for midlife women
Group facilitation for ex members of cults/abusive organisations
Adult and Adolescent Bereavement Counsellor with St Joseph's Hospice Hackney
Play therapy with young children in schools with the Place2be
Author of numerous wellbeing articles for Employee Assistance Providers
Prior to training as a Psychotherapist I spent 10 years working in the commercial sector in marketing and events.
Professional Development
I regularly attend seminars and workshops in order to strengthen my skills and keep up with current thinking.
Member organisations
Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

UK Council for Psychotherapy
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership

Accredited Register Scheme
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
I am experienced in working with issues relating to midlife including the menopause transition. You can read more about this work at www.ameaningfulmidlife.com.
I have an interest in, and have conducted research into the experiences of Adult Third Culture Kids, adults who spent a significant amount of their developing years living away from their passport country.
Therapies offered
Fees
£70 per 50 minute session for individuals
£80 per 50 minute session for couples
£60 per 50 minute session for supervision
I reserve a number of spaces for students or people on low incomes for which I charge a lower fee but at the moment these are all taken
Availability
Tuesdays 9am - 8pm; Wednesdays 4pm - 8pm; Fridays 10am - 2pm
Further information
Due to Covid restrictions I am currently conducting all sessions remotely via zoom or phone. I hope to return to in person sessions in my Dalston practice as soon as it is safe to do so.