Melanie Hallows MBACP (Accred), Partner at The Practice

About me

We all need help from time to time to deal with what life throws at us. Sometimes it can be helpful to talk things through with someone who is outside of our circle of family and friends and can be impartial.

I am a BACP Accredited Counsellor with experience working in Private Practise (Twickenham) and The Practice (East Molesey) and for a Leading Mental Health Charity. I can offer support with a wide range of issues such as anxiety and depression, self-harm; bereavement and loss, domestic abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, self-esteem and identity issues. I offer a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space for you to explore what's troubling you and to work through difficult or conflicting feelings. Through counselling I can help you to gain clarity, a different perspective and a better understanding of self which can enable you to make positive changes and choices.

My Approach

I am Integrative trained, which broadly means that I recognise all clients have different life experiences and that one approach does not fit all. I draw on different theoretical approaches which can aid my understanding and enhance the way in which I work.  Above all I place emphasis on the importance of the relationship between the Client/Counsellor and aim to provide a warm, empathetic, non-judgemental space for you to explore what is troubling you. I also believe that in order to understand our difficulties today it can sometimes be helpful to explore our relationships with other significant people in our past. I work in a non-directive way, at your own pace.

Experience

I have worked for the last 5 years for a leading Mental Health Charity with experience providing therapeutic support to both children and adults.  I have provided support with a variety of issues ranging from loss, bereavement, domestic abuse, self-harm, drug and alcohol addiction anxiety and depression and low self-esteem.

I have extensive experience offering support with a variety of child-related issues including childhood bereavement, depression and anxiety, separation anxiety; bullying and self-esteem, special educational-needs, self-harm and gender dysphoria and with a wide range of relationship issues ranging from relationship difficulties with partners, children, wider family, the workplace, to supporting adults with issues relating to affairs and betrayals, separation and divorce, co-parenting and custody issues. I have also gained significant experience supporting adults coming to terms with the impact of historical abuse including emotional, physical, sexual abuse and neglect.

Whatever the reason, you feel you need support with, please get in touch.

Getting in Touch

Choosing the counsellor that feels "right" for you is really important but can also be daunting.  Please contact me for a free telephone consultation prior to assessment and I will be happy to answer any questions  you may have.  We will then arrange to meet for an assessment session which is your opportunity to decide if we can work together.  I offer a reduced fee of £30 for the assessment session.

Location

(Twickenham and East Molesey)

My private practice in Twickenham takes place from a log cabin in my garden, separate from my home, in a quiet development in Twickenham, which provides a quiet, private, reflective space.  I am close to Whitton and Twickenham British Rail and the A316, with easy access to the M3 or into London and many other good transport links. There is plenty of free, easily accessible parking. Wheelchair access.