Hello, I’m Michelle, an integrative counsellor and the person behind ME Counselling and Wellbeing.
Based in Lytham, I offer a welcoming and supportive space for those seeking counselling, both locally and further afield through online sessions.
About Me
Hello, I’m Michelle, an integrative counsellor and the person behind Me Counselling and Wellbeing.
I am a qualified integrative counsellor with an HND in Counselling and Applied Psychology. My approach brings together different therapeutic approaches, including Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy, allowing me to adapt the way I work to suit you and your individual needs.
I believe that every person deserves to feel heard, understood and accepted without judgement.
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, and there may be times when you are carrying thoughts, feelings or experiences that feel difficult to share with the people around you. Counselling can offer you a safe and confidential space to talk openly, explore what is happening in your life and begin to better understand yourself.
My own life experiences have helped me to understand that life is not always straightforward. I have experienced difficult times and personal challenges, and I understand how important it can be to have someone truly listen. These experiences, alongside my professional training, have shaped the counsellor I am today and strengthened my belief in the power of being heard without judgement.
I work with people from all walks of life and offer support with a range of difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, bereavement, relationship difficulties, trauma and life changes. I also have a particular interest in supporting people affected by addiction and recovery.
My aim is not to tell you what to do or give you all the answers. Instead, I will work alongside you, helping you explore your thoughts and feelings in a way that feels safe and supportive. Together, we can create a space where you can be yourself, speak honestly and begin to make sense of whatever you may be going through.
I offer face-to-face counselling in Lytham, as well as online counselling and walk-and-talk therapy, providing different options to help make counselling accessible and comfortable for you.
Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, but you don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. Sometimes, simply having the opportunity to sit down and talk to someone can be the start of something important.
You deserve to be heard. You deserve to be seen. And you deserve the space to be you.
I am BACP registered (British Association of Counselling & Psychology).
How I Can Help
I understand that reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step, particularly if you are going through a difficult or uncertain time. I can offer you a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about what is on your mind and explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences at your own pace.
As an integrative counsellor, I draw upon different therapeutic approaches to support you as an individual, recognising that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to counselling. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, low mood, bereavement, trauma, relationship difficulties, life changes or are affected by addiction and recovery, I will work alongside you with empathy, understanding and compassion.
My aim is to help you feel heard, understood and supported, while giving you the space to explore what matters to you and find a way forward that feels right for you.
Person-Centred Therapy
Person-Centred Therapy places you at the centre of the counselling process.
I believe that you are the expert in your own life and that, given the right support and environment, you have the ability to better understand yourself and make choices that are right for you.
My role is not to tell you what to do or to make decisions for you. Instead, I provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings openly.
Sometimes, people have spent much of their lives feeling that they have to be who other people want them to be. They may have felt unheard, judged or unable to express how they truly feel.
Person-Centred Therapy allows you the opportunity to simply be yourself.
Through being listened to with empathy, acceptance and understanding, you may begin to:
* Understand yourself more deeply
* Explore your thoughts and feelings
* Build confidence in your own decisions
* Develop greater self-awareness
* Recognise your own strengths
* Improve your self-esteem
* Understand what you truly want from your life
I will work alongside you at your own pace. This is your space and your journey.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on the relationship between our thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
The way we think about situations can affect how we feel emotionally and how we respond or behave. Sometimes we can develop patterns of thinking that leave us feeling anxious, low, overwhelmed or stuck.
Together, we can begin to explore these patterns.
For example, you may notice that a particular situation leads to a negative thought. That thought may then create a difficult emotion, which may influence what you do next.
By becoming more aware of these patterns, we can begin to explore whether certain thoughts are helpful, where they may have come from and whether there may be another way of viewing a situation.
CBT-informed work can help you to:
* Recognise unhelpful patterns of thinking
* Understand the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviours
* Develop greater awareness of emotional triggers
* Explore ways of responding differently to difficult situations
* Build coping strategies
* Challenge self-critical or unhelpful thinking
* Feel more in control of your responses
CBT does not mean simply “thinking positively”. It is about becoming more aware of your thoughts and understanding how they may be affecting your emotions and behaviour.
Together, we can explore patterns that may no longer be serving you and find more helpful ways of responding.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy explores how our past experiences and relationships may influence the way we think, feel and behave today.
Sometimes we may find ourselves reacting strongly to situations without fully understanding why. We may experience repeated patterns in relationships, struggle with particular emotions or find ourselves behaving in ways that we do not fully understand.
Our early experiences can shape the way we see ourselves, other people and the world around us.
Through psychodynamic work, we can gently explore how past experiences may still be influencing your present life.
This may include exploring:
* Childhood experiences
* Important relationships
* Family dynamics
* Repeated patterns in relationships
* Difficult emotions
* Experiences of loss or trauma
* How past experiences may influence current behaviour
* Feelings that may have been pushed aside or left unexplored
Psychodynamic work is not about blaming the past or focusing only on childhood.
Instead, it can help us to understand where certain patterns or feelings may have developed and why they may still be affecting us today.
By developing a deeper understanding of yourself and your experiences, you may feel better able to make choices and create changes in your life.
Addiction Recovery Support
Addiction can affect not only the person experiencing it, but also the people who love and support them. I have experience working with people affected by addiction and recovery and have a particular interest in supporting individuals as they navigate the challenges that addiction can bring.
Whether you are thinking about making changes, are in recovery, struggling with relapse, or simply trying to understand your relationship with substances or addictive behaviours, I can offer a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to explore what you are experiencing.
I also understand that addiction can have a significant impact on family members and loved ones. I offer support to those who may be struggling with the emotional impact of a loved one’s addiction, helping you to explore your own feelings, understand your experiences and find ways of looking after your own wellbeing while supporting someone you care about.
My approach is compassionate and person-centred. I will work alongside you without judgement, helping you to make sense of where you are now and explore what you would like your future to look like.
My Approach to Counselling
As an integrative counsellor, I believe that there is no single approach to counselling that is right for everyone.
Every person is different. We all have different experiences, relationships, challenges and ways of seeing the world. For this reason, I draw upon a range of therapeutic approaches and adapt my work to meet your individual needs.
The three main approaches that inform my counselling work are Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy.
We may use one approach more than another, or we may naturally bring elements of different approaches into our work together. The most important thing is that counselling feels right for you and supports what you would like to achieve.
Way’s We Can Work Together
I understand that everyone is different, and what feels comfortable for one person may not feel right for another. That’s why I offer different ways for us to work together, so you can choose an approach that feels right for you.
Face-to-Face
Face-to-face counselling is available in a private and comfortable counselling space based near Lytham Green, Lancashire, providing a confidential environment where you can talk openly and have the time and space to focus on yourself.
Online
I also offer online counselling through Zoom, allowing you to access counselling from a place where you feel comfortable. During your free 15-minute discovery call, we can talk through how online counselling works and make sure you feel comfortable with the process before arranging your first session.
Walk & Talk
For those who prefer to be outdoors, I also offer walk-and-talk therapy around Lytham Green. We can meet on the green and walk together, choosing a route and pace that feels comfortable for you. Some people find that being outdoors and walking alongside someone makes it easier to talk and can create a more relaxed counselling experience.
During your free 15-minute discovery call, we can talk about what you are looking for from counselling and decide together which option feels most suitable for you.
Fees & FAQ’s
Counselling sessions are available for £55 per 60 minute session. I offer face-to-face counselling, online counselling through Zoom and walk-and-talk therapy.
During your free 15-minute discovery call, we can discuss which option feels right for you and confirm the cost before booking your first session.
You don’t need to know exactly what you want to talk about or have everything figured out before you begin. If something is affecting your thoughts, feelings, relationships or everyday life, counselling can provide a safe space to explore what is happening. Our discovery call is an opportunity to talk about what you are looking for and decide whether working together feels right for you.
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and begin to understand what has brought you to counselling. There is no pressure to tell me everything straight away. We will work at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
No. My aim is to provide a safe, accepting and non-judgemental space where you can be honest about how you are feeling. You don’t have to hide difficult thoughts or feelings or worry about saying the “wrong” thing.
That’s completely okay. You don’t need to prepare anything before a session. Sometimes simply starting with how you have been feeling recently can open up the conversation, and I can help you explore things from there.
Sessions are 60 minutes long. This gives us enough time to settle into the session, explore what you need to talk about and finish in a way that feels manageable.
Yes. I offer online counselling through Zoom. During your free 15-minute discovery call, we can talk through how this works and make sure you feel comfortable with the process.
Walk-and-talk therapy combines counselling with being outdoors. We can meet on Lytham Green and walk together at a comfortable pace, choosing a route that works for you. Some people find that walking and being outside helps them feel more relaxed and makes talking easier.
Absolutely not. You might simply know that you don’t feel like yourself, that life feels overwhelming, or that something doesn’t feel right. You don’t need to have a diagnosis or a clear explanation. We can explore what you are experiencing together.
It is completely okay to become emotional. Counselling can bring up difficult feelings, and you don’t need to apologise for crying or showing emotion. You can take your time, and we can pause whenever you need to.
You can get in touch to arrange a free 15-minute discovery call. This gives us an opportunity to talk about what you are looking for, ask any questions you may have and see whether you feel comfortable working together. There is no obligation to book a counselling session afterwards.
Contact Me
Please feel free to get in touch with me when you are ready. My details are:
Phone: 07912 940 035
Email: michelle@mecounselling.co.uk