Mel Paulson

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.

Supervisor • Pronoun: she
BSc (Hons) MBACP (Accred) PNCPS (Accred) Counsellor

Supervision details

I currently offer both in person and online supervision for qualified and trainee counsellors who support CYP and adult. 

I work flexibly Monday to Friday, with availability until 8pm. 

Neurodivergent affirming - I have extensive experience working with neurodivergent children, young people and adults.

About me and my therapy practice
I am a Person Centred Clinical Supervisor with an integrative and relational approach, working with both trainee and qualified counsellors. My supervision practice is grounded in the Seven-Eyed Model of Supervision, exploring the relational dynamics between client, counsellor and supervisor. My work as both an Integrative and Person Centred Counsellor strongly informs my therapeutic and supervisory approach.

I hold a Level 6 qualification in Clinical Supervision from Leeds Beckett University and offer supervision to counsellors at all stages of professional development. Sessions are available online, in person or through a flexible combination of both. I aim to provide a reflective, collaborative and supportive space within clear ethical and professional boundaries.

My supervision approach is tailored to your individual needs, level of experience and therapeutic modality. I strive to create an environment that is both supportive and appropriately challenging, encouraging clinical competence, self-awareness, confidence and professional growth.

I believe there is always potential for growth and development, regardless of experience level and I work alongside supervisees to support their ongoing development as practitioners. My approach integrates developmental, supportive and administrative aspects of supervision, adapting to the needs of the supervisory relationship.

I am particularly passionate about identity within counselling practice and supporting counsellors in developing a deeper understanding of who they are as practitioners. Whether you are a student counsellor beginning your journey, a qualified counsellor transitioning into private practice or an experienced therapist seeking continued development, I offer a space to explore your professional identity and growth.

I can also provide guidance and support for counsellors working towards BACP or NCPS accreditation.

I am a accredited member of both BACP and NCPS

Level 6 Clinical Supervision Leeds Beckett University

Practice description
In person sessions take place in a professional, private and welcoming therapy room within a business centre. The location offers ample free parking, with a bus stop conveniently situated on the main road outside the property.

Online sessions are available via a secure video platform, offering flexible and accessible support wherever you are in the UK.

Areas of Special Interest:

Supporting Trainee Counsellors

Transitioning to Private Practice

Neurodivergent Affirming Supervision

Children & Young People

Trauma-Informed Practice

My first session
In the initial consultation we’ll take some time to get to know each other and explore what you need from supervision. It is an opportunity to begin building a connection and to explore whether working together feels like the right fit.

This first session is also a chance for me to learn more about you as a supervisee, while giving you the opportunity to find out more about me and the way I work. Together, we can explore what you are looking for from supervision, recognising that these needs may continue to evolve as you grow and develop as a counsellor. We may talk about your strengths, areas you would like to develop and any challenges you are currently facing. We can also explore your CPD interests, how you are working ethically, and the type of support you find most helpful. Alongside this, we will agree on the practical aspects of our work together, including contract terms, frequency of sessions, boundaries, and accountability, while beginning to shape your learning objectives collaboratively. The aim is to create a strong foundation for an open, reflective, and supportive supervisory relationship.

You are invited to share your hopes, expectations, and supervision needs, as well as ask any questions you may have, so you can decide whether I feel like the right supervisor for you at this stage of your professional journey.

If we decide to continue working together, we will gently shape a clear and supportive framework for supervision, grounded within an ethical framework while honouring your individual way of working and keeping your clients’ wellbeing at the heart of the process.

I offer flexible appointment times and will do my best to accommodate what works best for you.

What I can help with
Abuse, ADD / ADHD, Adoption, AIDS/HIV, Anger management, Anxiety, Autism spectrum, Baby loss, Bereavement, Cancer, Child related issues, Chronic fatigue syndrome / ME, Coercive control, Cultural issues, Depression, Disability, Eating disorders, Health related issues, Identity issues, Infertility, LGBTQ+ counselling, Loss, Menopause, Men's issues, Mood disorder, Narcissism, Neurodiversity, Obsessions, OCD, Personal development, Pet bereavement, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy related issues, Redundancy, Relationships, Self esteem, Self-harm, Sensory impairment, Service veterans, Sex-related issues, Sexual identity, Sexuality, Spirituality, Stalking, Stress, Trauma, Women's issues, Work related issues

Types of therapy
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), CBT, Cognitive, Humanistic, Integrative, Person centred, Play therapy, Psychodynamic, Relational, Solution focused brief therapy

Clients I work with
Adults, Trainees

How I deliver therapy
Long term sessions, Long-term face-to-face work, Online therapy, Short term sessions, Short-term face-to-face work
Languages spoken
English

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
View full profile

Mackworth, Derby, DE22

Key details

DBS check

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

AccessNI check

AccessNI carries out criminal records checks for individuals working in certain roles in Northern Ireland. Find out more at justice-ni.gov.uk , or contact this professional directly.

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Online platforms

FaceTime
Google Meet
Microsoft Teams
Whatsapp

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Rooted in person centred values my approach is integrative. As a Supervisor I use the Seven Eyed Model to support collaborative reflective practice.