Michelle Bennett
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
What do you offer?
I work in a person-centred way and therefore we will work together to gain insight and awareness into your own life. I will be led by you and we will go at a pace that is right for you. I will offer professional and skilled support in order to work with the marital that comes up but also to support you to go deeper and work on issues that might not be so obvious. Sometimes life is hard and sometimes we can know what is going on for us and sometimes we might not know what the route of the problem is. Therapy can support you to look at your own patterns, dynamics in relationships and unresolved internal conflict. In my experience therapy can support you to gain a greater awareness which can support you to make positive lifelong changes and have a better quality of life.
In my experience the most important aspect of working with clients is the therapeutic relationship that we build together. I understand how hard it can be to take the first steps in seeking help and how vulnerable it can be to share your story. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is what helps clients to feel safe, held and listened to in order for them to be able to address whatever has brought them into therapy. Therefore, I pride myself in being approachable, warm and open and offer a relaxed and calm environment.
I am an integrative counsellor which means that I can draw from different disciplines which when combined create a holistic perspective which allows me to successfully support clients experiencing a range of presenting issues. I have a particular interest in working with anxiety, depression, anger and low self esteem. I also have I have specific knowledge of working in the following areas; childhood sexual abuse, pre and post adoption support, psychosis, childhood abuse and chronic illness.
Where?
I offer face to face sessions from The Cabin which offers a private, calm and relaxed environment. I also offer online sessions and over the phone if needed. The Cabin is located in Sowton on the outskirts of Exeter which is easily accessible from Exeter city centre, the M5 and the A30. There is good public travel by bus or train and the nearest train station which is in walkable distance is Digby and Sowton. There is free parking onsite for clients to use.
Who do I work with?
I offer individual sessions for children and young people from 8 years, adults and also family work on request. My sessions are normally for one hour and may be shorter for younger clients.
What to expect in your initial session?
This session will be relaxed and laidback where we will spend some time getting to know each other a little. I will share some information about how I work and what you can expect from our sessions. I will also go through some practicalities which will include talking through our working agreement. You will be able to ask any questions that you have. There will be time for you to talk about your own situation and what brought you to seek some support. You can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with as we will always work at your pace. You might want to share if you have any specific aims and goals and it is also fine if you don't have any at this point. There is no obligation to carry on working with me following the initial session and you can have as long as you need to think about what is right for you moving forward.
Free initial consultation
I offer a free initial session so we can get to know one and other a little better before we embark on your counselling journey. This consultation is absolutely non-committal and you will not be pressured to continue counselling if you chose not to. It is important you feel comfortable and find the right therapist for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a fully qualified counsellor, I trained on an accredited course by one of the UK’s leading governing bodies, the NCS (The National Counselling Society). I am member registered with of the BACP which means I practice under their code of ethics and work in a transparent way. I also also have a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and a MSc in social work.
My background is working in early years education, children and families social care and I also have experience of working for a specialist team for psychosis in the NHS . I have experience of working for a well-known charity delivering a therapeutic service to support children, young people and their careers who have suffered trauma as a result of being sexually abused. Over the years I have worked with people who have experienced childhood abuse, trauma, loss, and family breakdown. This has giving me insight into human behaviour, attachments theory and strength-based practice. I have a wealth of practical experience over my professional carer of supporting children and adults from a range of backgrounds with different presenting issues.
Although I have experience of working with a range of presenting issues I have specific knowledge of working in the following areas; childhood sexual abuse, pre and post adoption support, psychosis, childhood abuse and chronic illness.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£45.00 - £55.00
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My lower rates are reserved for those on lower incomes and students. Please contact me if you feel you qualify for more details.
When I work
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Please contact me if you require a session time or day that isn't included in my regular working hours as I do have some flexibility.
