About me
I’m Mel, a BACP Accredited Counsellor specialising in supporting people with eating disorders, disordered eating, body image and difficulties around exercise, including compulsive exercise.
I work with young people aged 14+ and adults, offering a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about what you’re experiencing without fear of being judged.
Are thoughts about food, exercise or your body taking up more space in your mind than you’d like?
Difficulties around food, exercise or body image can take up so much mental space. You may find yourself constantly thinking about food or exercise, comparing yourself to others, worrying about your body or feeling that you need to change something about yourself before you can feel good enough.
You may recognise that your relationship with food, exercise or your body is causing you distress, but still find it difficult to understand why you feel this way or how to change it.
You don’t need to have a formal eating disorder diagnosis or feel that your difficulties are “serious enough” to seek support. Difficulties around food, exercise and body image can affect anyone, and asking for help can be difficult.
My Experience
Before becoming a counsellor, I worked in fitness and dance for over 25 years. I also have my own lived experience of an eating disorder and compulsive exercise.
For many years, I felt that if I could change my body, become slimmer, exercise more or somehow become “better”, I would finally feel good enough.
I understand the pressure that can come from appearance, food, exercise and comparison, and how difficult these things can be to talk about.
My own experience is part of my understanding, but counselling isn’t about assuming that your experience is the same as mine. I want to understand you - what you’re feeling, what’s happening underneath the difficulties and what you need.
I have been working with people affected by eating disorders for over five years, and I really value creating a space where you can be honest about what’s going on without feeling judged.
I believe recovery is possible, and that having the right support can make a real difference.
I don’t just see an eating disorder. I want to understand you.
How Counselling Can Help
I’m an integrative counsellor, which means I can draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on what feels most appropriate for you. I believe there isn’t one approach that works for everyone, so we can work together to find what feels right for you.
Counselling can give you the time and space to unpack and explore what is going on for you and the difficulties you may be facing.
Alongside my specialist work, I also have experience supporting people with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, loss and other challenging life experiences.
I believe that being listened to and genuinely understood can be incredibly important when you’re struggling. My aim is to offer you a safe and supportive space where you can be yourself and explore what is happening without judgement.
Getting Started
Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, particularly if you’re already finding things difficult.
I offer a free 30-minute telephone consultation where we can talk about what you’re looking for and what you’re currently experiencing. It also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions and find out more about me and what to expect from counselling sessions.
The consultation is completely free and there is no obligation to book counselling afterwards.
I offer both short-term and longer-term counselling, depending on what you need.
I offer counselling online throughout the UK.
If you’ve found my profile because you’re struggling with food, exercise, your body or how you feel about yourself, I’m really glad you’re here.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BACP Accredited Counsellor
- BACP Certificate of Proficiency
- AIM Qualifications Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice
- AIM Qualifications Level 3 in Counselling
- AIM Qualifications Level 2 in Counselling
- Eating Disorders CPD
- Safeguarding
- Autism Informed Practitioner – Counselling Tutor Course
- Introduction to Counselling Children – QLS Level 5
- Cruse Bereavement Support Foundation Course
- Yoga Teacher
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
If you are interested in seeking counselling I offer a free telephone consultation, please contact me via email to arrange this
When I work
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Further information
If you feel I may be the right counsellor for you, I offer a free 30-minute telephone consultation with no obligation to book counselling. Please get in touch by email to arrange a call.
