About me
I am an experienced and fully accredited BACP registered Psychotherapeutic Counsellor (MBACP Accred). I offer individual, relationship, and couples therapy from a secure, and private practice based in Hurstpierpoint, with clients from Hassocks, Brighton and surrounding areas,
As a Humanistic Therapist, I believe that we all have the capacity for growth and change. Our work together will begin with where you are now and aim to help you find your own path through the challenges you have chosen to bring to therapy. Therapy is a journey of self-exploration, greater self-awareness, and understanding of oneself.
You may be considering therapy because you feel anxious, lonely, angry, depressed, or overwhelmed and vulnerable. There are times in our lives when we feel stuck, like nothing is changing, when we don't know what to do, or we feel lost. You may feel that you can't confront those emotions alone or with the support of those around you.
Whether you're dealing with a specific life event, a recurring pattern of thoughts, or a more pervasive sense of unease, therapy provides a dedicated time and space to unravel these complexities. It's an empowering journey that involves working with uncomfortable emotions and embracing moments of self-discovery and growth. Together, we work to untangle the layers of your emotional responses, fostering a deeper understanding of yourself.
Before becoming a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor , I dedicated over 25 years to working with young people and families. My journey began as a Youth Worker, where I supported young people through pivotal stages of their lives, and later as a Family Relationship Coach, helping families navigate challenges and strengthen their connections. This rich and rewarding experience gave me a profound understanding of human relationships, resilience, and growth, forming the foundation for my second career as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.
For more information please visit my website www.melaniepollardtherapies.com
Training, qualifications & experience
A Therapeutic Approach Tailored for adults Therapy creates a confidential and secure space for exploring your thoughts and feelings. Together, we'll establish an atmosphere to delve into the reasons behind seeking therapy, guiding you toward a new way of being with clarity about your true self.
I have experience with navigating and addressing a range of complex emotions, including anger, shame, guilt, and anxiety. Identifying patterns that may have emerged in one's relationship with oneself, with others, and with the external world.
I have a particular interest in working with people who find talking about their feelings difficult and problematic. Opening up about one's emotions can be an overwhelming task, and it's common for people to face hurdles or encounter emotional roadblocks in the process. Together, we can explore and navigate the changes and uncertainties you're facing, adapting to your preferred pace, whether short or long term.
A Therapeutic Approach Tailored for Relationship and Couples Therapy Relationships are profound mirrors to our thought’s patterns and behaviours. They take many forms, shaped by our history, unconscious patterns outside of our awareness, and the experiences that have etched themselves into our stories. Each connection we form whether romantic, familial, or platonic carries within it the energy of what we know and, more importantly, what we have yet to understand about ourselves.
When you contact me, it’s often because something within your relationship isn’t sitting well. Perhaps there’s a vague disquiet, a recurring conflict, or a sense of disconnection that you can’t quite put into words. These “niggles,” as I like to call them, are your hearts way of whispering (or shouting) that something needs to change. It’s a call to attention, to growth, and to the possibility of healing.
Working together, our work will delve into the deeper layers of what it means to be in relationship not just with others, but with yourself. My role is not to prescribe a one-size-fits-all solution but to serve as a guide and companion on your journey of discovery.
Nurturing Resilience: A Tailored Therapeutic Approach for Young People
Working with young people is at the heart of my practice. I understand that every individual brings their own experiences, challenges, and strengths — and that’s why I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
I create a safe, responsive environment where young people feel genuinely seen and heard. Each support plan is thoughtfully tailored, based on the unique needs and therapeutic goals of the person I’m working with. Whether it's navigating the complexities of adolescence, building self-confidence, or managing emotional challenges, my focus is on empowering young people to develop the tools they need to thrive.
As a therapist, my commitment is to foster a nurturing space that supports personal growth, encourages honest self-expression, and helps build meaningful, healthy connections.
Qualifications
Post Graduate Diploma in Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Counselling Couples and Relationship Therapy Gestalt Center UK
Compassionate Inquiry Certificate with Gabor Mate.
BA(Hons) - Professional Studies Learning and Development
Dip HE - Education in Youth and Community Work
Level 3 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring (QCF) Chartered Management Institute
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (QCF)
Some of the areas I can help with include:
Addiction
Anxiety & Overthinking
Relationship Problems & Communication
Trauma & Emotional Healing
Low Self-Esteem & Confidence
Depression & Feeling Stuck
Burnout & Work Stress
Men’s Mental Health
ADHD & Focus Issues (Adults)
Breakups, Divorce & Heartbreak
Loneliness & Feeling Disconnected
I have a particular interest in working with people who find talking about their feelings difficult and problematic.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
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
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Along side working with individual clients, I also work with a wide range of relationships:
Romantic partnerships
Parent-child relationships (across all ages and stages of life)
Sibling relationships
Friendships (longstanding or newly developing)
Co-parenting relationships (after separation or divorce)
Professional relationships (colleagues, business partners, or supervisors)
Blended family dynamics
Extended family relationships (in-laws, grandparents, etc.)
Each relationship brings its unique challenges and opportunities for growth, and my role is to support you in navigating those with care, expertise, and respect.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£65.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
In my view, therapy is centred around establishing a vital connection and ensuring a safe environment. Choosing the right counsellor, someone with whom you genuinely connect and feel secure, is paramount.
I value the importance of finding the right therapist and therefore offer a free 20 minute telephone consultation to discuss what brought you to therapy and for us to be introduced to each other.
Individual Therapy
I value the importance of finding the right therapist and therefore for individual therapy, I offer a free 20-minute telephone consultation to discuss what brought you to therapy and for us to be introduced to each other.
My standard fee for individual therapy is £65 per session. I also have a number of limited lower fee spaces available, to people who are on a lower income. I am very open to discuss these spaces with you.
Couples and Relationship Therapy
I value the importance of finding the right therapist and therefore, I offer a 50-minute consultation at a flat fee of £70.00 to discuss what brought you to therapy and for us to be introduced to each other.
As a Relationship and Couples Therapist my standard fee is £95 to £110 for a 70 minute session.
Based in Hurstpierpoint, with clients from Hassocks, Brighton and surrounding areas.
When I work
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Further information
I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy MBACP (Acccred) and adhere to the BACP ethical guidelines for practice and am fully insured for all therapeutic work. I also hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate. Based in Hurstpierpoint, with clients from Hassocks, Brighton and surrounding areas.
