Michelle Saunders

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her/she
BA (1st Class Hons) Counselling, HPD, MNCS (Accred), MBACP

About me

Hello, I’m Michelle – thank you for visiting my page.
I’m a degree-qualified counsellor offering face-to-face, online, and telephone sessions for a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties. I usually work from my private therapy room, but in some cases, home visits can be arranged.

I have extensive experience supporting clients with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief, addiction, and relationship challenges. I work integratively, meaning sessions are shaped around your individual needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Working Together
Reaching out for help can feel daunting. You may worry that your problems aren’t “serious enough,” or that you won’t know what to say. That’s okay — you don’t need to have it all figured out. You’re already taking the first step.

You choose the pace and format: in-person, online or by phone — and this can change depending on what life throws your way. What we talk about is completely up to you.

Bariatric Counselling
I’ve completed specialist training with the Centre for Bariatric Support, enabling me to work confidently with clients preparing for, or adjusting to, bariatric surgery. Whether you're struggling with emotional eating, weight regain, stigma, or the mental toll of surgery, I offer a supportive, non-judgmental space. Many people say they feel misunderstood — I'm here to change that.

 
Infant Loss
Trained by The Foundation for Infant Loss, I support parents and loved ones grieving the loss of a baby or child at any stage. Whether it was during pregnancy, following stillbirth, or at any point in childhood, your grief matters. You may want to speak about the event itself, relationship struggles, or how to approach a future pregnancy. There’s space here for all of it — in your own time, at your own pace.

 
Infertility Counselling (BICA Trained)
Infertility can be deeply painful, isolating, and full of uncertainty. Whether you're just starting your fertility journey, considering treatment, or coping with difficult outcomes, I offer a space to process your thoughts, grief, and decisions. As someone who’s completed specialist training with BICA (British Infertility Counselling Association), I understand the emotional impact that fertility struggles can have — on your mental health, your relationships, and your sense of identity. You don’t have to go through this alone.

 
Type 1 Diabetes Support
As a parent of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, I understand first-hand how all-consuming it can be — the exhaustion, the guilt, the fear, the constant management. Whether you live with T1D yourself or care for someone who does, it affects your life in ways many people don’t realise. Having someone to talk to who genuinely gets it can make a world of difference. You don’t have to talk about diabetes — but if you need someone who understands its impact, I’m here.

Free Consultation
I offer a free, 30-minute confidential Zoom consultation to explore what you need, answer any questions, and decide together whether we're a good fit. If I’m not the right person for your needs, I’ll always try to signpost you to someone who is.

To learn more, visit www.t1dcounsellingessex.co.uk, or contact me directly:
📞 07305 686103
📧 info@t1dcounsellingessex.co.uk

Please note: I won’t return missed calls unless you leave a voicemail or text requesting a call-back — this is to protect your confidentiality.
If you haven’t heard from me within 24 hours, please check your junk/spam folder.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • BA (Hons) Counselling (1st class)
  • Clinical Diploma in Hypnotherapy
  • Diploma in Neuro-Linguistic Programming
  • Certificate in Rapid Cognitive Processing
  • Certificate in Emotional Freedom Therapy
  • Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychology
  • BICA Foundation Course for Fertility Counselling
  • Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education
  • Level 2 Health and Social Care

I have also undertaken numerous CPD training events including:

  • Working with men
  • Foundation for Infant Loss Training: Pregnancy and infant loss specialist, Rainbow baby Specialist and Infertility Specialist
  • Counselling and Nutrition for the Bariatric patient (CfBS) 
  • Conflict resolution
  • Trauma
  • Anxiety
  • Hard to help clients
  • Telephone counselling
  • Shame
  • Loss
  • Safeguarding
  • Guilt, grief and bereavement.
  • I also have lived experience of Type 1 Diabetes 

I have 20 years’ experience working in the NHS, supporting patients and families during some of the most vulnerable and emotionally challenging times in their lives. My roles included working in the hospital nursery, children’s ward, A&E, cancer and stroke units, and surgical wards — all of which gave me insight into how fear, illness, and uncertainty can affect people on every level.

Alongside this, I’ve worked as a counsellor in a secondary school and within the probation service. These roles deepened my understanding of how early-life experiences — including abuse, neglect, and trauma — can continue to affect people long into adulthood. It’s shown me just how vital it is that people feel seen, understood, and supported, no matter where they are in their journey.

I offer a #givingback service whereby I will always have one low income client that does not pay and 2 that are using my concessionary spaces. If you would like to donate sessions to someone that cannot afford them, please visit my website for details.

In conjunction, I would love for people to #payitforward and purchase sessions for those less fortunate so that more people can get the help they need.

Member organisations

school Registered / Accredited

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.

NCPS
National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Working with type 1 diabetes and other long-term/chronic health conditions.

Therapies offered

Fees

£50.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle Keyworkers
  • check_circle OAPs
  • check_circle Students

Additional information

£50 per 50 minute counselling session

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

My availability varies depending on other clients and if you require face-to-face, phone or zoom sessions. 

Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Further information

If you need any further information please do get in touch. I aim to respond within 24 hours.

If you have not received a reply, please check your junk folder.

Clarence Road Baptist Church, 6 Clarence Road, Southend-On-Sea, Essex, SS1 1AN

Block A, Weston Chambers, Weston Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1AU

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone
Home visits

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Key details

DBS check info

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Face-to-face sessions are currently not accessible for wheelchair users or those unable to manage 1 flight of steps at this address. However, if face-to-face is preferred please contact me and I will try and source an alternative room.

Online platforms

Zoom

Social