Melanie Fletcher

With great sensitivity, I help individuals with a wide range of difficulties, such as low self-esteem, excessive worry, issues regarding identity, depression, anxiety in all its forms, and adjusting to life changes and loss.

Loss is a common human experience. It can relate to bereavement, but we can also be significantly impacted by the loss of a job, relationship, our identity, our abilities, particularly when experiencing illness or disability.

Anticipatory grief is a phenomenon that also frequently occurs in various circumstances. For instance, when a loved one changes due to illness, it can evoke feelings akin to loss, despite the fact they are still physically present.

Whatever your situation is, you will be welcomed, just as you are. I do not and never have believed in a 'one size fits all approach'. Instead, I will respect you as a person living with individual circumstances, completely unique to yourself and respond to you as such.

I am also particularly welcoming of neurodivergent clients, and have lived experience of this personally. 

How can therapy help?

I wholeheartedly understand that life can be supremely challenging. If you are experiencing current, recurring or ongoing difficulties, it can be helpful to speak to someone who will not judge, but work alongside you to improve both your present well-being, and overall ability to weather life's storms. My ultimate aim is to help you become empowered, overcome any obstacles holding you back, and more skillfully manage life, through its inevitable ups, downs, swings and roundabouts.

About Me

I qualified as a Counsellor in 2009, and later added to my skills by training to become an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, and gaining accredited status as such with the BABCP.

Please read below for a brief overview of the styles of therapy I am trained in. I often integrate different therapeutic  approaches accordingly, dependent on individuals needs, your preferences and what you require from therapy. This will be discussed collaboratively with you at your first session, and reflected on as we continue. 

At the heart of my practice, I endeavour to work with you in the way that best suits your needs at this time, and I will always respect you as an equal and active participant in the therapeutic relationship. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

When we experience recurring difficulties which affect our well-being and confidence, we have often become trapped in 'vicious circles'. In CBT, we explore links between common thoughts, behaviours and mood which occur during the times we struggle. This can help us see where it may be useful to create some changes, in order to break free from unhelpful patterns.

Sometimes stepping outside of these vicious cycles just feels too hard to do alone, and this is where talking to a therapist you can trust and who listens to you without judgment can really help. However, CBT is not only a talking therapy, it is also a ‘doing’ therapy, which means it usually involves completing some additional (mutually agreed) tasks outside of your therapy sessions. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence who advise the NHS, as the most helpful psychological treatment for panic attacks, OCD, social anxiety, health anxiety, generalised anxiety, post-traumatic stress, phobias and depression. One central aim of of CBT is to help individuals to become your own therapist in time. 

Counselling

If CBT does not feel like the right approach for you, or you would prefer something less structured, this is very welcome. Counselling provides a  valuable opportunity to speak with someone who will really listen to you, help 'unpack' your feelings, thoughts and experiences, in order to relieve emotional distress, gain a clearer understanding of yourself, and come to terms with difficult experiences which may have happened to you

Rest assured your therapy will always be tailored to your individual needs or goals. I will also invite you to review how you feel therapy is going on a regular basis, to make sure we are on track in helping to achieve your aims.

I am often at my happiest when you no longer feel the need to attend therapy - for example, because you've accomplished all you wanted, or are feeling empowered to navigate life independently.

On the other hand, some individuals choose to continue attending regular therapy sessions for an extended period to maintain their well-being, or as part of an ongoing commitment to self-care. Making this decision is equally valued and significant.

Professional experience

I originally qualified as a person centred counsellor in 2009, and have worked in various therapeutically supportive roles following this, including over 6 years in a primary care mental health service. In this time period I also co-facilitated various psycho educational courses to help with managing stress, anger, depression and anxiety, in addition to working as a Counselling Therapist, and later on a Cognitive Behavioural therapist with individual clients.

Initial contact

I offer an initial free consultation over the phone for up to 20 minutes, to see whether what I offer and what you require feels like a good match. If following this call, we decide I am not the best therapist for your needs, I aim to provide you with some alternative contacts to support you , should this feels helpful. 

To arrange this call, or ask for further information, please email me through the contact details on this profile. I will aim to get back to you within 24 hours. Please do remember to check your junk folder, as sometimes my reply can get sent there.

What to expect at your first session

If we agree to work together, following our phone consultation, the first session will be an initial assessment. This may sound quite formal, but it is simply an opportunity for us to discuss your main difficulties, concerns, what you hope to gain from therapy and explore how we might work together, to achieve your personal aims.

Following this, therapy appointments usually occur on a weekly basis, at least initially, as this helps to keep the momentum of therapy going.

I offer both short term and long-term therapy.  

Sessions are held for 60 minutes, by telephone or video platform.

Please know my practice is inclusive, and affirming of people of all ethnicities, nationalities, abilities, religious affiliations, spiritual practices, political opinions, sexual orientation, gender identity and ages.

My fee is £65, for a 60 minute session. 

Please note I offer remote sessions only, via video or telephone. 

I offer a small number of spaces at a reduced fee, to those on low incomes or unemployed. Please contact me to check availability, as spaces are limited.