Melanie Royal-Lawson BSc, PGDip, MA, Registered Member MBACP
About me
I am a qualified psychodynamic counsellor/psychotherapist and registered member of the BACP. I work together with individuals to help them make sense of their current circumstances, relationships and experiences, which may be influenced by the past. I provide a supportive, non-judgmental and confidential space in which thoughts and feelings can be explored at the clients own pace with a view to fostering autonomy and change. I work on a one-to-one basis with both young people and adults, from a broad range of social and cultural backgrounds, and can offer both short and long-term therapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
BSc (Hons) Psychology (BPS Approved), University of Reading;
Certificate in Counselling, University of Reading;
Introduction to Art Therapy, BAAT;
Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling (Distinction), University of Reading;
MA in Counselling (Distinction), University of Reading.
My experience includes having practised within a low cost counselling service; a university counselling service; and in an anxiety clinic which incorporated running group work for adolescences with anxiety disorders. I worked for several years within research focusing on maternal anxiety, depression and child development. Until recently, I also worked for a London-based Charity and Early Years Team co-ordinating a Counselling Service for parents of children under 5 and providing group work for mothers experiencing postnatal depression.
My private practice is based in Reading, but I also offer some appointments in London. I work with both men and women from various backgrounds experiencing a range of difficulties. I am currently also a perinatal practitioner within the Perinatal and Parent-Infant Mental Health Services, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). I adhere to the BACP code of ethics, attend regular clinical supervision and hold professional indemnity insurance.
Member organisations

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. 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
General counselling
Antenatal & postnatal period
Pregnancy & parenthood
Parent-Infant
Disability
Identity
Loss
Therapies offered
Fees
Reading
£45 - 50 minute session
£50 - Initial assessment
London
£60 - 50 minute session
Some concessions are available upon request depending on individual circumstances
Further information
My main practice is in a central Reading location set within pleasant surroundings and within easy walking distance of Reading Town centre and station. There is free two-hour parking in the vicinity as well as access to main bus routes.
To make an appointment or to simply have an exploratory chat, please call me on 07580075237, leaving a brief message along with your name and telephone number and I will be happy to return your call as soon as I can.
Alternatively, you may email me at
melanie.royal-lawson@thecounsellingservice.org.uk