Michael Blakeborough

I launched Longford Garden Counselling in January 2022 with the aim of providing a warm, comfortable, safe and confidential space to facilitate therapeutic change for adults (18+). I specialise in depression, anxiety and mental health issues linked to sexuality and gender identity, but the practice is open to all, including anyone who would simply like to learn about themselves to gain insight into who they are as a person. What’s important is a desire to grow and flourish in your life with a deeper understanding of self.

I use integrative humanistic counselling, based mainly on Carl Rogers' Person-Centred Approach, with elements of Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, Psychosynthesis and others.

I am fully certified with ACTO to provide online and telephone counselling safely and ethically.

After you contact me, I will arrange a one hour, non-counselling, assessment session with you to check that we can work well together. This assessment is a lower price than a regular session. If you wish to proceed we will arrange a regular time slot that suits you.

I grew up in Melksham, where I now live with my Civil Partner. I sadly know all too well the toll being “different" takes on your mental health, having gone through school in the nineties under Section 28, in the wake of the AIDS epidemic. As your counsellor and an out and proud gay man, I will work with you to achieve your therapeutic goals, whatever they may be - for instance self-acceptance, self-discovery, or emotional issues surrounding sex. In particular, I have lots of experience providing counselling to clients with issues related to gender identity.

Clients with anxiety or depression can rest assured they will be with someone who really knows and understands the experience, having gone through my own counselling process successfully many years ago for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

I deeply understand what it is like to be ‘on the edge’ with depression. I remember the feeling of hopelessness and barely being able to get out of bed, which took all my energy. I hope this will provide some comfort and help you feel safe, held and understood in your counselling with me.

Although they are not the same and can present independently, anxiety and depression often trigger each other such that it can be hard to tell if you're anxious, depressed or both. If you too are experiencing both, I will work with you to identify which is the root of your concern.

Self-discovery, personal growth, psychoeducation

Assessment session £30.

All sessions are sixty minutes long.