About me
You might be the person everyone thinks is coping.
You've got on with life. You've done what needed doing. You've looked after other people, got through difficult things, picked yourself up and carried on.
And maybe, somewhere along the way, you became very good at it.
I'm Michelle, a person-centred counsellor based in Newquay, Cornwall.
I believe that life rarely arrives in neat little boxes labelled anxiety, grief, relationships or low self-esteem. Usually, it's a bit messier than that.
We bring our histories with us. The things we've experienced. The relationships that have shaped us. The things we've learned about ourselves. And the ways we've learned to cope when life has been difficult.
Sometimes those ways of coping have served us incredibly well.
Sometimes they stop working quite so well.
You might be feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected from yourself, stuck in familiar patterns, struggling in a relationship, dealing with the impact of past experiences, or simply wondering why life doesn't feel the way you'd hoped it would.
You don't necessarily need to know exactly what's wrong either.
You can come to counselling and say, “I'm not really sure what's going on. I just know I don't want to carry on feeling like this.”
That's actually a pretty good place to start.
How I work
My approach is person-centred, collaborative and trauma-informed. We'll make some space to slow things down and get curious about what's happening underneath the surface, at a pace that feels manageable for you.
I'm particularly interested in how our earlier experiences and relationships can influence the way we cope, connect with other people and see ourselves.
I bring over 15 years' experience of supporting people affected by addiction, trauma and complex life experiences. I've seen how resourceful people can become when life hasn't given them many other options.
I've also seen how strategies that helped us get through one chapter of our lives can become rather unhelpful in the next.
You don't have to arrive at counselling with everything figured out.
You can simply arrive as you are.
Counselling in Newquay
I offer in-person counselling in Newquay, as well as outdoor counselling sessions for those who prefer a different setting.
If something you've read here has made you think, “Hmm. Maybe I should talk to someone,” you're welcome to get in touch.
I offer a free 20-minute introductory call so we can have a chat about what you're looking for and see whether I might be the right counsellor for you.
No pressure. No commitment.
Just a conversation.
Training, qualifications & experience
My work is shaped by experience of supporting people through complex life experiences, including emotional distress, loss, and long-standing patterns that can feel difficult to shift alone.
Alongside my professional training, I bring lived understanding of neurodivergence, specifically ADHD.
I am a qualified Level 4 counsellor, currently working within a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation setting. I bring over 15 years’ experience supporting individuals and families affected by addiction.
Alongside talking therapy, I have a strong interest in how the nervous system responds to stress and overwhelm. I am trained in Yoga Nidra (guided deep relaxation) and may gently incorporate body-based awareness where it feels helpful and appropriate.
Relevant qualifications & training
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (with Levels 2 & 3 in Counselling Skills and Studies.
Epione Enhanced Trauma Training
OCN Understanding & Working with Sexual Violence
NHS Devon Trauma Stabilisation Training
Specialist experience in substance misuse frameworks within practice settings
Yoga Nidra teacher training (guided deep relaxation and nervous system regulation)
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
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 per session
Additional information
I aim to keep counselling accessible and offer a small number of reduced-fee spaces, at £35, for people on low incomes.
If something here resonates, you’re very welcome to get in touch for a free 20-minute chat. There’s no pressure, just a chance to see if it feels like a good fit.
What I offer:
- In-person counselling (Newquay) – 50 minutes, a steady space to talk and explore what’s going on
- Sessions in nature (Newquay) – 50 minutes outdoors, talking alongside movement and nature.
- Online counselling – 50 minutes, flexible support from wherever feels most comfortable.
- Individual Guided Deep Rest sessions (Newquay) – 40 minutes of guided rest to support grounding and nervous system regulation.
Everything is offered at your pace, with space for you to choose what feels right at the time.
When I work
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Further information
Starting counselling can feel like a big step, and it’s completely normal to feel unsure before you begin.
You don’t need to prepare anything or have the right words. We can take things slowly and work in a way that feels manageable for you.
Some people come for a short period of support, others for longer-term work. We can review this together as we go.
Sessions are confidential, and I offer a calm, steady space where you can talk freely and at your own pace.
If you’re unsure whether counselling is right for you, you’re welcome to arrange a free 20-minute call to see if we feel like the right fit.
