Melanie Godden PGDip. MBACP
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 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
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.
