My Approach

As a client tells me his or her story I want to discover and explore the person’s emotional, cognitive, and physical responses to the situation(s) being discussed.
I also want to discover with the client what his or her typical patterns are for dealing with recurrent situations, and to devise strategies for beginning to develop new patterns of response which will have more satisfying results.
I believe many people come to therapy because self-protective strategies have become, or can also be, self-destructive strategies.  Whilst I think it is important to challenge self-destructive strategy/behaviour I believe it is important to aim to understand the feelings that lie beneath it by inquiring, imagining and checking out assumptions (mine and the client’s).  If I understand the feeling behind a behaviour and can empathise with it, I can hopefully help to raise awareness of the behaviour or strategy in a way less likely to shame the client.  I believe that empathy creates the best context for growth.
As we discover how events of the past may be continuing to impact the person’s present life, I work with the client in ways which change how the past affects the present.
When people start doing psychotherapy relevant memories come to the surface and dreams can provide more information than they may have realised they had access to. The experience has led me to believe that we have an inner drive to fulfil potential, to become fully more of who we are, and we can learn to tap into this drive to our, and to the world's, advantage. In my practice I aim to facilitate what I see as this self actualisation drive in my clients and to facilitate their taking charge of their own lives.  
I believe no technique would work unless there is a working alliance between the client and the therapist.  To that effect, I take account of the real world of the client, including the impact of trauma, cultural difference, sexual orientation, disability and social context. How I organise myself in the relationship will vary from client to client. 
I will work face-to-face with you and employ techniques to suit your circumstances. This will include actively listening as you talk about your feelings and concerns. Specific advice is rarely given because you will be working with me in a common process of discovery.

Initial consultation - Free of Charge

Your first appointment will involve an assessment of your personal needs for counselling. You will build up an idea of what is involved and you will be able to make up your mind if I’m a person you can work with. It is important to be clear about what you want and what I am able to offer. Our relationship is at the heart of our work together.

I offer a free initial appointment, following which my fees, which are payable at the end of each session, are £42 for individuals - £48 for Couples (some concessions are available)

If we agree to work together on your issues it is important and a matter of mutual respect that you keep your appointments. If for any reason you need to cancel an appointment I will need at least 3 days notice. In an emergency I can accept a rescheduling of appointments within 24 hours of your appointment time.

All clients need to understand from the outset that the time you book is yours and I am unable to fit another client into your appointment slot at short notice. Cancelling at the last minute without good reason or simply not turning up for an appointment will incur the full fee for the session you have booked.

Whoever you are, whatever your age, whatever the situation or the problem you are facing, it can be useful to talk things over with an understanding outsider.

To make appointment or for further information, I can be contacted by phone on 01753 535457 or 07960 322723 or by email: michele_relmy@yahoo.co.uk