Michelle Akgul
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Welcome!
I run my own private practice in Kent offering very affordable online and face-to-face sessions starting from £35 up to £50 in the follow areas of expertise listed below. I have 5 star google reviews and genuine testimonials from past clients on my website (see photos and videos too).
Please visit www.bright4life.com for more information about me. I have helped many clients to turn their lives around and feel empowered and hopeful for their future, offering consistent, reliable and compassionate long term therapy.
I have previously worked for a domestic abuse service charity for a number of years and then for a London-based counselling organisation working with the BAME/faith-based communities.
My work has led me to work extensively with a wide scope of backgrounds, especially mixed race and BAME community, as well as clients who have extensive childhood trauma, domestic abuse pasts or neurodivergent issues.
I work in a deeply compassionate and sensitive way, providing a trusting and totally non-judgemental space that feels safe to explore and really just let go of your worries and past issues.
I integrate different therapy interventions that suit your style, culture and personality (such as journaling, somatic-healing interventions, psychoeducation, attachment and loss therapy, solution-focused therapy, spiritual/faith-based interventions etc.). I work with unconscious processes (psychodynamic theories) as well as trauma-informed CBT, SFT and person-centred.
I also work with mindfulness and breathwork as this aids trauma/PTSD recovery, past abuse and feelings of deep loss, sadness and worry.
Areas of expertise
- Childhood trauma & abuse (including rape, neglect, childhood sexual abuse, violence and issues with narcissistic families and parents)
- All domestic abuse issues and help sign-posting for further services
Bereavement and loss in all its forms, including help to manage from divorce, childhood and adult bereavement, parenting and relationship losses and deaths in the family - Managing relationship and family issues, conflict management and enhancing communication styles and management.
Low self-esteem, self-worth, stress, confidence issues, low mood, anxiety and depression - Psychoeducation and healing recovery from anxiety and depression using trauma-informed ERP/CBT programmes for intrusive thoughts, OCD, C-PTSD, PTSD and phobias (deep-seated fears).
- Somatic and holistic healing programmes for clients with Neurodivergency issues (ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder) and clients who suffer from physical problems (hidden and seen)
- Same-faith (Islamic counselling) for those who wish to integrated this into conventional therapy. Working extensively with mixed cultural backgrounds and diversity.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a fully qualified member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapist) in the UK.
I have 4 years of intensive study with a qualified Diploma level 4 in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling. Currently qualifying towards accreditation with the BACP and certification in Trauma-informed practice with Evergreen Certifications.
I have over 2 years of extensive experience working as a Domestic Abuse Counsellor for Sateda women's domestic abuse recovery services in Sittingbourne, Kent and extensive experience in all forms of domestic abuse recovery services and programmes.
As a mature therapist, I offer not only my qualifications, but my extensive life experience having worked in many work sectors both UK and overseas (charity, financial, travel), prior to working as a therapist.
I am half German and half English but British born and bred. I am a mother of two boys (15, and 11) and they are mixed race children (Turkish/English).
I work extensively with all backgrounds, cultures, races and religions, with extensive work experience with BAME communities.
I occasionally work freelance with an Islamic counselling service (Sakoon Counselling) based in West London since 2022.
I have run my own private practice since 2022, focusing on somatic and holistic healing from all forms of Trauma, abuse and loss and bereavement including childhood trauma.
I work with all adults and youth counselling and I offer a coaching service dedicated to parents of teenagers and those of Islamic faith to provide life coaching and support in a more practical way.
Member organisations
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I also specialise in Islamic counselling for those wishing to integrate their faith into therapy sessions as Muslims.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£40.00 - £50.00
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
*£45 for individual sessions (online)
£50 for individual sessions (F2F)
*You can opt to pay weekly or monthly depending on your needs. I also offer a further discount for block booking 6 sessions at a time for online only.
FRIENDS & FAMILY (10% of standard online block rate) with additional 1 hour FREE counselling session for EVERY recommendation who signs up via yourself.
When I work
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I have flexi hours. Please ask if you have a specific requirement. Thank you
I can offer low cost of £35 per hour to those on benefits or very low income with proof. Please enquire.
Further information
I am currently qualifying towards accreditation as a Trauma Specialist through Evergreen Certifications (working with Pesi.com). I am currently pursuing continued professional development at level 5 higher national diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
