Melanie Godden
Verified Professional
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently
verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
PGDip. MBACP
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
About me
Everyone goes through challenging situations and needs support and security. Counselling can help you to put in place mechanisms to cope in difficult situations. I would like to help you discover these strengths. I provide a unique blend of psychotherapy that emphasizes self discovery and self acceptance as a way to facilitate social, emotional and behavioural well being. My work is based on a deep respect for the client and a belief in their potential to heal and grow.
While psychodynamic theory serves as my clinical foundation, I also use an integrative approach which enables me to combine Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other approaches for various issues including stress, anxiety, depression, sexual identity, post-natal depression, addiction and issues with food. My approach to human issues are very integrative bringing all these experiences and understanding together.
Finding a good match with a counsellor and establishing therapeutic rapport is an important factor for successful therapeutic outcomes. I offer a confidential space where you can be safe in the knowledge that I am BACP member and adhere to the BACP code of practice.
Online video calls (Skype/Zoom) available.
Training, qualifications & experience
As well as working at St Albans Counselling, I have also worked for The Counselling Foundation, Herts and Beds, and currently work for MIND, a mental health charity offering a wide variety of counselling services. I have worked extensively with young people, bereavement, people who have suffered abuse and trauma as well as eating issues and post natal depression offering a solution based therapy incorporating a psychodynamic approach.
I studied Body Dysmorphia and Eating Disorders (CPD) at the Tavistock Clinic in London and have a PGDip in Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling from The University of Hertfordshire.
My own personal development is important to me and I to stay up-to-date with current practices and theories by attending regular courses. I am also a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
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
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
Concessions offered for
Additional information
The initial consultation is £70. I believe that the first session should be an opportunity to discuss what has brought you to counselling and will be an opportunity to get to know each other.
Further sessions are £60 per session.
I offer a limited number of reduced fee sessions for key workers and individuals on low incomes (subject to availability). Please feel free to enquire about these.
When I work
10am - 9pm inc. weekends.
