Michael Forrest BACP Accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist

About me

I am a Humanistic and Integrative, BACP accredited counsellor and psychotherapist.  I have worked with individuals and couples since 2005.  I have previously worked as a hospice bereavement counsellor as well as an NHS  psychotherapist.

I trained in mindfulness as a Theravada Buddhist monk and I have over 30 years mindfulness practice.  I also certified as a trainer in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in 2005 and use this with individuals and groups.

I work with a wide range of issues and specialise in trauma, anxiety, depression and bereavement.  I offer short and longer-term work - the latter allows more time and space for deeper healing of childhood issues.

My Approach

I offer a reflective space where I work with acceptance and a non-judgemental attitude, to support you to be with whatever challenges and difficulties you may be facing.  As I orient to stillness, I offer my presence as an anchor to guide you deeper into an awareness of your inner experience.  I help you to stay with this and what you meet there, so as to empower you and to allow for understanding and insight to arise.  I stay present to your emerging needs, in a way that allows you to connect to them more fully and so explore how best to meet them.  I meet you and your issues with empathy, understanding and compassion.

Professional Membership

I am an accredited member of British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). As such, I adhere to their code of ethics and they have a formal route through which complaints can be heard, if they cannot be resolved in the first instance by talking to me - more information is available on their website: www.bacp.co.uk