Michelle Coombes

Verified Professional Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

MBACP, BACP Registered, Adv.Dip. Humanistic, Higher Dip.CBT
Limited availability
Limited availability

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10
Limited availability
Limited availability

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

About me

Hello, my name's Michelle and I've been working as a counsellor, and counselling supervisor for over seventeen years, both in my own Private Practice, and also as a volunteer in a local bereavement charity. From my personal experience I know it's not unusual to find ourselves going through emotional and practical difficulties in our lives from time to time.  Most of the time we can deal with these, but sometimes these difficulties can escalate, or we find ourselves trying to deal with one thing after another, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and anxious, or suffering from depression or panic attacks.

It may not be easy to talk to family or friends about the way we are feeling - perhaps we don't want to worry them, feel embarrassed, or believe they won't understand. It could be that we're experiencing problems within our relationship and subsequently don't have anyone to share our worries with. This can often leave us feeling lonely and unsure about what to do next.  For this reason, talking with a counsellor may be helpful, and feel reassuring when it seems like we can't find a way through our problems.

My approach is gentle, accepting and down-to-earth. I always try to create a safe, friendly and trusting environment where you can feel at ease, and be able to talk openly about your concerns. I will be honest about whether I think counselling may be helpful, and about which counselling approach may be best for your particular problems. I'm not going to judge you and am here to help you talk through the difficulties that you are struggling with. Sometimes you may only need a few sessions, or it could be that the process takes longer.  Either way, it is your choice about how many sessions you feel you need, and how often you would like them.

I can offer Humanistic counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy(CBT), and we can talk about which of these might be more suitable.  I often find a mixture of both approaches can be beneficial, but once more, this is something we can discuss and I will be guided by your needs.

The counselling sessions are held in a peaceful and confidential setting within my own home, where you will be able to talk without being disturbed. There is safe parking on my driveway if you are travelling by car.

I've worked with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, bereavement, relationship and family difficulties, LGBT, and abuse and anger, and would be very happy to talk with you about any worries you may have.  If you would like to call, we can discuss your concerns over the 'phone, and this will also give you a chance to decide whether counselling is for you. If you prefer, you can e-mail me with any questions, and where possible I will get back to you the same day.

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and work within their ethical framework.

Training, qualifications & experience

Qualifications:-
Higher Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), 2010
Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Counselling, 2005
BACP Certificate of Proficiency, 2013
Certificate in Counselling, 2004
Certificate in Counselling Skills, 2003
Level 5 Unit: Counselling Supervision, 2010
A Level Psychology

BACP Courses:-
Psychopharmacology and Counselling and Psychotherapy, 2014

Counselling Workshops:-
Sexuality Awareness
Art in Therapy
Counselling the Young
Non-Verbal Communication
Counselling the Older Client
Counselling Children and Young People
New Thinking Around Bereavement Counselling

Additional BACP Courses related to supervision:-
Supervision: How to support your supervisees through the counsellor/psychotherapist accreditation process.
Preparing for Supervision and getting the best out of it.

I have worked in private practice for over seventeen years, and in addition to this, I was a  volunteer bereavement counsellor for ten years, and have attended many workshops related to this and other counselling issues.

I also work as a supervisor for both qualified counsellors and student counsellors.  Please see my supervision profile for further information.

Member organisations

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Photos & videos

Fees

£45.00 per session
Free initial telephone session

Additional information

First sessions which last for half an hour are free of charge.  During the session you will be able to decide whether you think counselling is for you, and also whether you feel comfortable with me. Just like in any healthy relationship, it is important to feel that you can trust the person that you are discussing your deepest feelings with, and know that you can be open and honest about your thoughts and worries without being judged.

I would never put any obligation on you to book your next session as I think it's helpful to go away and think about whether you believe counselling is appropriate for your problems.  If you choose to go ahead, hourly sessions are then £45.00 per session, and you can contact me via text, 'phone or e-mail.

I also offer flexible hours for counselling sessions beginning at 9.00am and including lunchtimes and late afternoon (latest appointment 6pm until 7pm).  I work all day on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Thursday mornings.


When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I work Tuesday and Wednesday all day, beginning at 9am, and last session 6pm until 7pm.  I can also offer Thursday mornings.

Further information

If you have any questions please feel free to ring me and I will be happy to give you more details. If you find you are directed to my answer machine please leave a message and a convenient time to call, and I will get back to you as soon as I can. I'm the only person who will access your message and it will be treated in confidence. Alternatively, you can e-mail me with your queries if that's more convenient.

Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10

Type of session

In person
Phone

Types of client

Adults
Older adults
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

My counselling room is upstairs but I may be able to provide alternative arrangements should that be needed. Please feel free to ask.

Supervision

In person
Phone

I have been a supervisor for several years and provide counselling supervision for students and qualified counsellors.

View supervision profile

Michelle Coombes
Michelle Coombes