Tom Meltzer

"May you find places and people that truly see you. May you unfold, breathe, heal and grow in their presence." - Thema Bryant

Does it seem like there isn't a place for you? Does it feel like you don't belong? Have you somehow ended up on the outside, looking in? At times like these, it can be easy to lose hope that we will ever feel safe and welcome again.

Therapy with me is a chance to experience trust, safety and peace again, so you can begin to find your way to a new sense of being at home in the world. You may want to use our time to:

• Let out parts of yourself you've been hiding, such as painful feelings, unhealed wounds or secret aspects of who you are.
• Make sense of ways you are different from the people around you, and how to make peace with these differences.
• Begin to plan a new, safer life for yourself, and find the courage and strength it will take to build it.

It's my great privilege to guide you on that journey to a new sense of home.

 "When I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." - Carl Rogers

You might choose to work with me if:

• You feel different to those around you, perhaps because you are or may be autistic and/or ADHD.
• You feel different because of your sexuality, or have questions about it, and want to work with someone LGBTQ+ affirmative.
• You feel like the world is on a different schedule, and struggle to sleep and wake when everyone else does. 
• You have a painful past that it doesn't feel safe to discuss with anyone. Perhaps some feelings seem too powerful to face alone.
• You are going through something no one else seems to understand, like chronic pain or fatigue, or a unique job. 
• You feel lonely or alone, and can't seem to make relationships work, and want to be accepted as you are.

I can help with all of these things and many more. Why? In part, because I have experience of many of them myself. But more because the way I work is about releasing your own ability to heal and come home to yourself, whatever the problems you face. 

You may not want to work with me if:

• You are looking for a therapist who will teach you techniques or set you homework. I am all about finding your own answers.
• You want CBT or EMDR or a particular brand of therapy. I am person-centred and kind of old school; we will just be two people talking.
• You are currently suicidal or self-harming, and in need of more complex care than a weekly therapy session can provide. 
• You don't want to work online, or can't find yourself a safe and private place each week where you won't be disturbed.

A little more about me and how I work

I am a qualified therapist with a degree from Oxford University and a diploma from the City Literary Institute. I am also a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. 

My approach is called the person-centred approach and it is all about accepting you exactly as you are, in a way that is radical and transformative. The heart of my training was about becoming an authentic, trustworthy person who knows and understands themselves, so that I can offer you a safe relationship where feelings can be expressed without fear of being judged. 

Before I became a therapist I worked in several roles for a newspaper and I still work part-time as an editor. I find my own sense of belonging among my family, in nature and with wildlife, as a Tottenham fan, and in this work.

How long will we work together for?

That will be your choice. I have worked with some clients for several years, and with some for just a few weeks. I will be happy to be your therapist for as long as you find our work together useful.

How to book a session with me

Email me using the button on this site, or via the Contact Me page on my website. Let me know a little about what you are seeking help with, plus what times would suit you for a first session with me, or for a free 20-minute video call if you would like to meet me first.

My areas of special interest are:

- Self-acceptance, belonging, and finding home.

- Working with writers, artists and other creatives.

- Connection with nature, birding, and eco-anxiety.

- Autism, ADHD and neurodiversity-affirming therapy.

- Sleep difficulties and night owl sleep patterns.

Because I am a night owl myself, I can offer late-night sessions after 9pm.

I offer an introductory session for a half-price fee of £35. This is a chance for us both to get to know each other and make sure we are happy working together. After this initial session, my standard rate for weekly sessions is £70.

I work online, usually over Zoom, in weekly sessions of 50 minutes each. Because I work online only, you will need to find yourself a safe and private space where you can talk to me without fear of being overheard or interrupted. If Zoom is not an option for you, I can use Skype, WhatsApp or Google Meets instead.

Our first session will be 50 minutes like any other. I will begin by explaining the key things you need to know about how therapy works and I may ask one or two questions if there are things I need to know based on what you have told me before we meet. The rest of the session will be a normal counselling session, and we will focus on what you want to talk about and what has brought you into therapy.