Michelle Clark

Hi, I'm Michelle, thank you for visiting my profile.

Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. You may be experiencing anxiety, struggling with low mood, feeling stuck in unhelpful patterns or finding it difficult to manage the demands of everyday life. Perhaps you are looking for support for yourself, or seeking help for your child or young person.

Whatever has brought you to therapy, finding someone you feel comfortable talking to is an important first step. I aim to offer a warm, welcoming and non-judgemental space where you can feel listened to, understood and supported without feeling judged or under pressure.

About Me

I am a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I work with children, young people and adults, offering support with a range of emotional and psychological difficulties.

Alongside my therapeutic training, I bring many years of experience working with children, young people and families through my background in education. This has strengthened my understanding of the importance of relationships, emotional wellbeing and recognising the individual behind the difficulties they may be experiencing.

I believe that everyone has their own story, strengths and ways of experiencing the world. My aim is to work alongside you, helping you make sense of what is happening and find a way forward that feels right for you.

My approach

My approach is collaborative, compassionate and tailored to the individual. I draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help explore the connections between thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and behaviours, and understand how these can influence the way we experience and respond to situations.

Together, we can identify patterns that may be keeping difficulties going and explore practical strategies to help you manage challenges, develop new perspectives and make changes that feel achievable and meaningful.

I don't believe therapy should be a one-size-fits-all experience. I take time to understand your individual circumstances, strengths and needs, adapting the way I work so that therapy feels relevant and manageable. I also recognise the importance of neurodiversity and aim to provide a neuro-affirming flexible approach that respects individual differences in communication, thinking and experiencing the world.

Working with children and young people

I have a particular interest in supporting children and young people who may be experiencing anxiety, excessive worries, low mood, emotional difficulties or challenges affecting their everyday lives, including school, friendships and relationships.

Children and young people do not always find it easy to put their feelings into words. I recognise the importance of building trust, creating a sense of safety and adapting therapeutic work to their age, developmental stage and individual needs.

Where appropriate, I also value working collaboratively with parents and carers, recognising the important role they play in supporting their child's emotional wellbeing. My aim is to help young people develop a better understanding of their feelings, build confidence and develop strategies they can use beyond the therapy room.

Areas I can help with

I offer CBT support for difficulties including:

• Anxiety and excessive worry
• Depression and low mood
• Low self-esteem and confidence
• Stress and feeling overwhelmed
• Health anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Phobias and avoidance
• Emotional regulation and coping with difficult feelings

Taking the first step

Reaching out for support can sometimes feel daunting, and you may not know exactly where to begin. You don't need to have everything worked out before making contact.

Whether you are looking for support for yourself or your child, I would be happy to hear from you and have an initial conversation about what you are looking for and how I may be able to help.

I hope to offer a space where you feel accepted, understood and supported to move forward at your own pace.

A counselling session is 50 minutes unless otherwise arranged.

I offer therapy and counselling from a welcoming and private therapy space in Paisley, which has been thoughtfully designed to consider those with sensory sensitivities.

Therapy sessions last 50 minutes and are usually weekly, but we can discuss what is right for you if you feel I am the right therapist for you.

Reaching out can be daunting, but the importance of having a safe, non- judgemental space to be heard can be invaluable. You don't need to know exactly what's wrong or how to fix it before you reach out. That's something we can figure out together.