Melanie Stanton

I am a qualified counsellor and family mediator. In addition to this I have worked within the care sector for 20 years supporting adults, teenagers, children, and families. I have worked with people presenting many different issues and supported them to get to where they need to be with positive outcomes. Everyone deserves to be happy, and everyone can be happy once they decide to start their journey. I strongly believe that our thoughts control our lives, BUT we control our thoughts and with this in mind anything is possible.  As a therapist I can help you gain a better understanding of your feelings and thought processes and help you to find your own solutions to problems. I work mostly by using the integrated approach, which is drawing on the Person-Centred Therapy, Psychodynamic and CBT models. CBT is especially beneficial for people experiencing anxiety and OCD. I feel that each model has its own merit, however by incorporating all 3 gives a stronger support program. With this said I can use the models individually if I feel this is more of a benefit to the client, but this does depend on the individual needs of the client. Throughout my own life I have experienced a lot of personal situations that have been difficult, and this has given me the inspiration to help others. I understand that sharing your personal problems with a person you have never met before can be daunting which is why I offer a free 30 min assessment via telephone. This allows you to ask questions that may be preventing you from taking the first step towards counselling but more importantly it gives you space to decide whether I would be the right counsellor for you. 

What I can offer 

I offer face to face counselling as well as online counselling. In exceptional circumstances I can offer my services in the comfort of your own home, however this does depend on location and risk.  This option can be discussed in more detail during the assessment. I also offer sessions outside as a 'walk and talk' therapy. This is perfect for when the weather is nice and if you enjoy being outside. It also very beneficial for your own well-being. Spending time outdoors can improve mental health in a number of ways.  Spending time outdoors has been shown to decrease levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. 

Couples Counselling

Couples counselling is a form of relationship counselling which is addressed specifically at people who are involved in a romantic relationship. Both married and unmarried couples may seek couples counselling. It allows for both parties to express themselves in a safe, non judgemental environment. It is an effective form of talking therapy which looks at improving communication and resolving issues within an intimate relationship. 

Family therapy

In family therapy I will support you to explore your views and concerns you may be experiencing. It is a safe space to improve communication and resolve issues. It can be used to help a family through a difficult period, a major transition or mental or behavioural problems within a family unit. 

Mediation

Mediation is when there is a dispute between parties which cannot be resolved. This can be things such as finances, property and child contact. I will act as an independent third party and offer you a safe space to support a positive outcome. Mediation can also be used to prevent an expensive outcome in court proceedings. 

How Counselling Can Help 

Counselling can help you cope with a variety of issues that may be presenting to you in your life. This could be anything from but not limited to a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety or an upsetting physical health condition.  A difficult life event, such as a bereavement, a relationship breakdown or work-related stress. These things can lead to low self-esteem, difficult emotions or even anger.  Together we will explore and understand what is causing your stress, finding specific solutions that will help you to overcome them. I will be there for you to offload and to share with me how you feel no matter how small or big things may feel for you. Counselling is a safe place where you can share your thoughts and feelings without judgement so that you are able to start a journey of wellbeing and feeling you again.  

First steps

Contact me either by email, phone call or text to arrange a assessment meeting. This 30 min meeting can be done via email, call or text and is free of charge. This will be a discussion in regard to what support you are looking for. We will discuss how the sessions work in terms of the duration and how many sessions you would like or need and any other relevant questions you may have at this point. This appointment is to answer any questions you may have and for a insight of how your counselling may look. It is important for you to feel as comfortable as you can with me and vice versa as this will prove for a much better outcome. You are under no obligation at this stage to go forward. 

On the initial counselling session will be the introduction, discussing information on the forms, what brings you to counselling, what outcome are you looking for and a plan going forward such as how many sessions we agree, processes of counselling in terms of the reviews, ending the sessions, confidentiality and any other questions you may have. It is vital these things are discussed and confirmed from the outset, this way we can both work together to achieve the best outcome for you. Take the opportunity at this session to ask as many questions as you need. Sessions will be for 1 hour; however, the last 10 minutes will be used to review the session.

What to expect from the sessions

The first thing to know is that counselling sessions are guided by you, so you have no obligation to fulfil, and I will not have expectations of you. This means that it’s up to you when it ends or whether your appointments change in frequency. I am not there to push you to talk about something that makes you feel uncomfortable. All conversations will be led by you not the other way around. If, however you have engaged in a conversation but then feel you are uncomfortable then you have a right to say, and we can move on. It’s important to remember that as your counsellor I am working in your best interest, even if you may doubt that at times. My aim is to support you in exploring and understand your feelings – enabling you to bring about positive changes in your mental and emotional wellbeing. I am not there to tell you what to do but to support you to seek the answers yourself. 

Further Information

If you are still unsure please visit my website www.newleafmind.co.uk where you can find more information which may be useful.

50 mins sessions 

£45.00 for online sessions such as phone, email, text, video call and zoom

£55.00 face to face 

£75.00 couples counselling

£75.00 mediation and family therapy.

Please visit my website for block booking fee's 

The first step is to contact the counsellor to enquire about the counselling process, what you require support with and charges. This can be done via telephone, text or email.  After a brief discussion if you are happy to proceed then we will book a 30 min assessment of needs appointment. This assessment appointment is free.  At the assessment we will discuss in further detail of what you are looking for and what you want to achieve through counselling and to see if I can help you.  At this stage I will not ask for you to fill out any forms. This will be a conversation appointment only. We will also decide at this appointment whether you are happy and feel comfortable to work with me and vice versa.

In addition to in person sessions I also offer online counselling via zoom, WhatsApp, Facetime, email, text and home visits. Home visits will be considered for low risk clients and clients with disabilities.