Clinical psychologists draw on a range of different approaches and can therefore adapt sessions to be the best fit for you. Some people know which approach they might like to try; others come with a difficulty and, with the therapist, you can work out together which approach would be beneficial. Often it is helpful to use a combination of looking at past experiences and their influence on the present, alongside skills-based approaches, to help cope.
A brief explanation of some of the approaches Michele uses are described below.
Focuses on how early life experiences and unconscious processes shape current thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It helps people gain insight into patterns, relationships, and emotional conflicts to promote lasting change.
Looks at individuals in the context of their relationships (family, couples, wider systems). It explores interaction patterns and aims to improve communication and understanding within those systems.
An attachment-focused therapy often used with children and families. It emphasises building safety, trust, and connection through attuned, supportive relationships, helping process trauma and strengthen bonds.
A structured trauma therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories using guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation, reducing their emotional impact. This can be combined with IFS (see below).
Is very effective with self-harming behaviours, strong emotions, suicidality, anger and eating disorder-related difficulties. It validates the distress someone is feeling, whilst helping with strategies to manage intense emotions. It teaches skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It helps identify and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical coping strategies.
Encourages accepting difficult thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them, while committing to actions aligned with personal values to build a meaningful life.
A trauma-focused approach that helps individuals construct a coherent life narrative, integrating traumatic experiences into their life story to reduce distress.
Helps people develop self-compassion and reduce self-criticism, sometimes linked to shame or trauma. It focuses on balancing emotional systems and building a kinder, more supportive relationship with oneself.
Views the mind as made up of different ‘parts’ (e.g. protective, wounded). Therapy helps people better understand these parts. Rather than seeing these parts as problematic, IFS views them as trying to help in some way, even if their strategies are unhelpful in the present.
A collaborative, goal-oriented approach that helps people explore and resolve ambivalence about change, strengthening their own motivation and commitment.
You are the first person who has listened to me and that I feel really understood..
Thank you for supporting me, for your warmth and allowing a safe and honest space to discuss clients..
Some people are born to teach and Michele is one of them..
My son told me that his session was 9 out of 10, which is incredible, as he felt very anxious and said he had felt very comfortable. I later asked him what was the best thing he had done this week and he said it was his appointment with you..
Some people are born to teach and Michele is one of them..
Michele offers the following approaches: EMDR, DBT, psychodynamic, systemic, ACT, NET, DDP, CFT, IFS, CBT and attachment-based work. You can read more about these in the ‘Therapeutic approaches’ section. She will match the right approach to your difficulties, what you are struggling with, your strengths, skills you might need, whether your history is contributing to the difficulties, etc. In psychology this is called a ‘formulation’—getting an understanding of the difficulties and what might help to move things forwards. There can be different reasons for something that is feeling problematic and something that looks the ‘same’ on the surface may be influenced by very different factors.
Ring the bell at the door, let them know who you are seeing. Someone will let you in and will show you to the waiting room. I’ll find you there and we shall go to the therapy room.
We shall get to know each other. You can tell me a bit about what you are struggling with and we can start to understand this a bit more. Usually you should have a bit more understanding of what has led to the difficulties and/or how to manage them after a first session, perhaps making links with previous experiences, perhaps learning ways to cope; but this is an ongoing process. The first session is about starting to feel safe with me, seeing if you feel understood by me, seeing if you think you can work with me and if you think more sessions are likely to be helpful. It’s also okay to want to try out a few therapists and see who you want to work with.
This depends on the person and the difficulty. Sometimes people just need a couple of sessions and they can always come back if they need to think more about something. Usually people benefit from around 20 sessions. Some people need more. We can think about this together and you may have an idea of how many sessions you are able to commit to. We can then try and use these sessions in a focused way. There is also the option to do some intensive sessions, then space these out more.
£140 for 55 mins.
Yes, by the British psychological society as a chartered clinical psychologist and by the HCPC (Health and care professions council) as a practitioner psychologist. Clinical psychologists have a degree in psychology, several years of experience before they complete a further three years of postgraduate training as a clinical psychologist for three years. They have experience across the age spans, across various difficulties and using a range of approaches. They are supervised closely throughout their careers and think about how the therapy matches the person’s needs. Michele has over 25 years of experience in the NHS and similar settings.
NICE guidelines recommend scientifically supported treatments for healthcare, that are evidence-based and recommended for the difficulties of the person. Michele will above all take into account your difficulties and what would suit these; but only offers evidence-based and NICE-approved treatments.
55 minutes. Typically EMDR requires a longer session; but this can be discussed.
Sessions are confidential. I usually let your GP know that I am seeing you, but we can agree how much detail you want me to put in this. I do have to break confidentiality if I feel you are a risk to yourself or to someone else. I would always discuss this with you to assess carefully whether this were needed. It is important to balance keeping you and others safe with sessions also feeling safe for you. I would be happy to talk about this more with you, if you are worried.
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