About me
Hi. I'm Mel, an Integrative Counsellor & Psychotherapist, based in Guildford in the UK. Thank you for taking that first step to finding some support and finding me in the Directory.
There are many reasons why you may find yourself here, you may not yet be sure yourself what these reasons are. What you do know is that you feel unhappy, stuck or unfulfilled and it's been difficult to talk about freely with family or friends. This is where I come in. I'm here to listen, really listen to everything you are feeling and experiencing. I provide a safe and welcoming space for you to talk things through, exploring together where you are and what you need.
What do I technically do?
I offer counselling & psychotherapy to adults and young adults (16+) on a one to one basis. I’m trained as an integrative therapist, which means I adopt a variety of techniques, including person-centred, psychodynamic and transpersonal approaches.
Great. What does that mean?
Essentially, I work relationally. Working relationally means I work alongside you to cultivate awareness of the patterns that are causing you difficulties in your relationship with your self and relationships with others. You then can begin to relate to those patterns in a new way. This brings about its own healing, enabling choices about how you would like to move forward in your life.
Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed and confused by our emotions, not knowing where to start. I will work with you to recognise what it is you are feeling and why you might be feeling as you are. This new awareness of self brings choices, where you might currently struggle to see them.
We work together in getting you to a place where you feel more fulfilled, contented, satisfied and importantly, where you have choice.
All this might sound hard, and it can be, but don't worry, we will go at your pace. You're not alone on this journey, I will be alongside you.
Face to Face
I offer face to face sessions at my practice in Guildford. These rooms are completely private, roomy and comfortable. Parking is available nearby.
The rooms are easily accessible by the M25/ A3 by car, or via rail to Guildford train stations. Suitable distance from Guildford, Merrow, Burpham, Godalming, Shere, Dorking, Worplesdon, Woking & surrounding areas.
Online
I find many of my clients experience difficulties getting to and from therapy or juggling around busy lives. Over the years I'm offering online sessions more and more as a convenient option which is considerably more flexible in terms of timings/days. For online sessions I tend to work on Zoom. It's really important that you have a quiet, confidential space, preferably with good internet connection.
I believe that finding the right therapist is vital to successful therapy. How do you know if I'm the right person? It's a big question - you will be dedicating time and resources and therefore want to make sure it's a good fit. Feel free to explore my website www.alongsidecounselling.co.uk to find out more about me, how I work and what I can offer you.
Or, if you'd like to, contact me for a free informal chat to see if you feel we're a good fit for each other and I can answer any other questions you may have.
Training, qualifications & experience
- FdSc Integrative Counselling from University of Greenwich (Distinction)
- Certificate in Working Creatively with Trauma
- Supporting Grief & Loss (NBS)
- Level 2 Mental Health First Aid (Youth)
- Level 3 Safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults
- Suicide First Aid & Safeguarding
- MA Literature & Theory
- BA Literature
Member organisations
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Although I work with a range of client needs I have a particular interest in women's issues, trauma & PTSD/CPTSD and bereavement & loss.
As I am trained in using creative arts to support and enhance trauma work, this might be something we can discuss bringing in to the therapy room if it appeals to you.
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 - £75.00
Additional information
I do offer a discounted rate for a small number of clients. Please enquire for availability.
Further information
I believe it's vital for you to feel comfortable working with me, in order for you to get the most from therapy. I therefore offer a free informal chat via phone or online to answer any questions you may have and generally get to know each other to see if we're a good fit.
After this first chat, if you decide you are ready/happy to proceed, we'll begin formal sessions together. Usually we'll agree a certain number of sessions to start with, depending on what you need, which we can then review as we go along.
I will conduct a short assessment in the first session. Essentially, this means collating some basic information and a few questions about your general health. We'll also discuss and agree a contract as to how we'll work together. This is important so that you know exactly where you are regarding how I store your data, confidentiality rights and payment expectations.
