Michele Ryan
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a qualified family psychotherapist registered with the UKCP and AFT. I have worked as a family therapist in S-CAMHS, as a supervisor for an NHS staff wellbeing team, as a Course Leader for a counselling diploma and as a Clinical Lead in a low cost counselling service. In my private practice I work from my home in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.
As a trained systemic psychotherapist I offer family and relationship therapy whatever your age and in whatever relationships you are involved in. 'Systemic' therapy really means 'relational' as it emphasises the fact that people live in a world with others, not just inside their heads or bodies. I work with relationships, looking at patterns, communication and desired changes. Research has shown that Family Therapy is useful for children, young people and adults experiencing a wide range of difficulties and problems in their important relationships such as bereavement, divorce, relationship problems, eating disorders, gender issues, anxiety and depression and step parenting. It enables family members, couples and others who care about each other to understand each other’s experiences, views and needs and to build on strengths and make useful changes in their relationships and their lives.
As a psychotherapist I practice a collaborative, strengths-based therapeutic approach in which clients are treated with respect and compassion. Systemic and narrative therapy looks at which ideas are at work and whether they are useful or restrictive in some ways. My professional training and personal experiences allow me to offer a non-judgemental and safe environment, sensitive and intuitive insight, and the therapeutic skills that will help you move forward in your life. I have worked as a school counsellor, a university counsellor, a family therapist in an LGBT+ charity and in CAMHS so I am familiar with the issues that are particular to young people, adults and families.
I understand that some of the issues clients bring to therapy may be deeply private, difficult to talk about, embarrassing, or painful. I have worked with people on many difficult issues and aim to provide a safe space for you to talk about your concerns.
I have completed training in EMI for trauma related issues and trained in mindfulness which can be helpful in dealing with stress, depression and anxiety. I can offer therapy for couples, individual adults and young people as well as families. The service I provide acknowledges the importance of diversity (cultural, racial, gender and sexual diversity). I see clients for varying numbers of sessions depending on the concerns and client preference. I also work as a supervisor of other counsellors and counselling students.
Training, qualifications & experience
- I hold an MSc (distinction) in Systemic Psychotherapy from the Family Institute allowing me to practice as a family therapist.
- I hold a B.Sci Hons (first) degree in counselling from the Family Institute, University of South Wales.
- I am a registered member of UKCP, AFT and NCS.
- I worked as a Family Therapist with PACE London, an LGBT+ mental health charity
- l was a university counsellor and taught counselling skills to MSc genetic counselling students and in Centre for Lifelong Learning
- I am a supervisor.
- I work with Nuffield Health (EAP) in my private practice.
Some courses I have attended; - Gender dysphoria in children and young adults 2021
- Narrative, attachment and trauma therapy-Dallos and Vetere 2019
- The Psychophysiology of PTSD with Babette Rothschild Nov 2018
- Working with fathers in family Violence 2018
- Beyond Shame, Dr Bertrando 2018
- Working systemically with death, dying and loss
- Mind in Body June 2017
- Attachment for Clinicians April 2017
- EMI (Eye Movement Integration Therapy) for the treatment of psychological trauma 2015
- Collaborative Practices Conference Norway 2014
- Open Dialogue Approach, London (6 days) 2014 2 days 2016
- Principles of Clinical Supervision and consultation practice. 6 days between October – December 2012.
- Winston’s Wish – Supporting bereaved children and young people 18th July 2012
- Workshop on Narrative Approaches to anorexia & bulimia. London 19-20 September 2011
- NHS/UCL. Eating disorders in the community conference. 13 July 2011
- Using sand worlds with children and young people. 26th September 2011
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 UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. 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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I have a number of clients who are trans-gender, or are exploring their gendered identity.
Issues around the use of social media and on-line relationships. Trauma especially connected to child sex abuse/sex abuse, trafficking and exploitation.
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 - £70.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My fees are from £50 - £70 an hour depending on whether I am seeing individuals, couples or families and your circumstances. I am always willing to negotiate for those clients who are having difficulties meeting the cost of therapy.
When I work
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Up to 7.30pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Further information
Narrative Therapy is a strength-based, collaborative approach to dealing with problems in people’s lives. In Narrative Therapy you are NOT the problem...the problem is the problem and you are the expert on your life and your resources, beliefs and values are what you will return to in order to overcome your problems. I will collaborate with you to discover ways of facing the negative influence of problems in your life and reducing them to a manageable size leaving room to allow your preferred way of being to emerge.
Like Narrative Therapy, Solution-Oriented Therapy is also a strength-based, collaborative approach that sees the problem as the problem - not the person. The focus in this model of therapy is very much on solutions to problems. This means that focusing on future possibilities and solutions enhances change in people's lives. In Solution-Oriented Therapy, you, as the client, set goals and I work collaboratively with you to ensure the goals are do-able.
