Melina Sullivan
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi, I’m Mel — welcome to my page and thanks for stopping by. If you’re here because you’re fed up of:
- Overthinking everything and constantly doubting yourself.
- Feeling like you’re not quite enough, no matter how hard you try.
- Getting stuck in relationships that leave you wondering, “Is it me, or is it them?”
You’re not alone.
My focus is on helping adults who feel weighed down by unresolved issues from their past, particularly childhood experiences, that continue to squash their self-esteem, take a toll on their relationships, and batter their emotional well-being today.
Why focus on childhood?
So much of what we deal with as adults — from people-pleasing to relationship anxiety to that relentless inner critic — has its roots in early experiences. Those early relationships and environments shape how we see ourselves, how we connect with others, and how we navigate life’s ups and downs.
Maybe you:
- Struggle with people-pleasing — always saying “yes” to avoid conflict or disappointment, when you’re screaming “no” inside.
- Feel anxious in relationships — constantly worrying that people will leave you or feeling like you’re “too much.”
- Battle with an inner critic — that nagging voice that won’t shut up, telling you you’re not good enough.
- Find it hard to trust or open up — keeping emotional walls up, even though you crave connection and intimacy.
Sound familiar? These patterns don’t come out of nowhere — they often stem from childhood experiences. But here’s the good news:
You don’t have to keep carrying this on your own.
They don’t have to control your life forever.
What it’s like to work with me
Think of me as a compassionate guide — not someone with all the answers, but someone who can help you find your own. I’m not here to “fix” you (because you're not broken), but to help you understand yourself better, untangle emotional knots, and create lasting change. Together, we’ll connect the dots, rediscover your strengths (or find new ones), and work toward a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling. Some days, we’ll dive into childhood memories; other days, we’ll focus on what’s happening right now. It’ll be up to you what direction we take, and when.
How I work
My approach is rooted in humanistic therapy, which is all about believing in your ability to grow and heal. I also draw on:
- Inner child work — to reconnect with and heal the younger parts of yourself that still carry hurt or confusion.
- Attachment-focused therapy — to understand how early relationships shape your current ones and help you rewrite those patterns.
- Somatic awareness — to help you notice how emotions show up in your body, because healing isn’t just in your head.
Who I work with
I specialise in working with adults who:
- Feel stuck in patterns of people-pleasing, self-doubt, or perfectionism.
- Struggle with anxiety, especially in relationships.
Want to understand how their past is influencing their present. - Are ready to explore their early experiences, not to dwell on them, but to heal and move forward.
If this sounds like you, we might be a good fit.
Practical details
Our sessions will be 50 minutes long, and you can choose between online or in-person therapy.
Online therapy:
Join from wherever you feel most comfortable — whether that’s your couch, your office, or anywhere with decent wi-fi. All you need is a quiet space, a device with a camera, and yourself. It’s just as effective as in-person sessions, with the added bonus of convenience and flexibility.
In-person therapy:
If you’d prefer to meet face-to-face, I also offer in-person sessions at two Swansea venues.
Ready to start?
Then please get in touch. We can have a brief chat, get to know each other, and see if we’re a good match. If you’re not keen on phone calls, feel free to email or text instead.
There’ll be no pressure or obligation on your part — I understand that therapy is a big commitment, both emotionally and financially. But it’s also an investment in yourself, and I’d be honoured to support you as you take that first step.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a psychotherapist and counsellor who works with adults.
I have worked with clients experiencing a wide range of issues — from disordered eating and coping with bereavement to stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and identity issues.
I have a special interest in working with clients who have experienced difficulties in their childhoods which affect their adult life.
Following the pandemic, I worked with the bereavement charity Cruse supporting people through their grief and loss. I also work with clients via the leading mental health charity Mind.
I have a Master's degree in psychotherapeutic practice at distinction level.
I'm an accredited member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
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.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
£45.00 - £55.00
Additional information
My fees are as follows:
In-person sessions: £55 per session
Online sessions: £50 per session
Sessions for students/trainee counsellors: £45 per session
