About me
A note re: COVID-19 - I am able to offer phone and online counselling. Being apart doesn’t mean you have to suffer alone.
My name is Mel and I am an integrative psychotherapist working in Preston. I offer both short- and longer-term therapy for individuals experiencing difficulty in their lives.
I know the decision to try counselling can be a difficult one, so here is a little information about what it is and how it works:
Counselling works by creating a safe, non-judgemental environment in which you can explore your experiences, thoughts and feelings by talking them through in confidentiality with a qualified practitioner. Doing this helps to increase awareness and understanding of what has happened or is happening in your life as well as its impact on you. It can therefore help you to make sense of your life, increase personal empowerment and feel better about yourself. Having someone to listen without judgement can also be hugely healing and improve self-esteem.
Integrative psychotherapy is a form of counselling which draws from a number of different theoretical and evidence-based perspectives, including person-centred, psychodynamic, humanistic and existential models as well as current research and neuroscience. As an integrative psychotherapist I use these different knowledge pools to guide my work. However this is always in a way which meets your individual needs and, most importantly, feels ok for you - at your time and pace.
I believe that we deserve to thrive in life, rather than just surviving it. Thriving means:
- Experiencing more than just suffering day-to-day
- Having a sense of freedom and choice
- Developing better relationships with ourselves and others
- Discovering personal meaning and purpose
- Developing personal resilience and effectiveness
Therapy is a great step towards achieving these things.
If you'd like to begin thriving, contact me to book your free 20-minute phone consultation today.
Training, qualifications & experience
PGDip Integrative Psychotherapy - University of Central Lancashire
PGCert Advanced Counselling Skills - University of Central Lancashire
BSc (Hons) Psychology - University of Liverpool
I currently also practice in the NHS, helping clients with a range of issues including anxiety, depression, loss, trauma, and relationship issues.
I also have experience working with individuals and groups recovering from addiction and dependency issues.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
Free 20 minute phone consultation available to all new clients.
Session fees are £40.
Daytime and Evening Appointments Available.
Location near to Preston City centre. Accessible by bus or car.