Melanie Bain
Member Status: Accredited
Member No: NCS19-08319
Location: Oxford
Each of us is affected in different ways and at different levels by the recent health, economic and climate crisis. All of us will feel in some way or another pushed into extreme psychological territories, within ourselves and our relationships at both a personal and/or professional level. For most of us this may be a time of distress and upheaval with many uncertainties about what the future holds.
I am committed to and experienced in providing counselling in times of crisis. I am very familiar with online and telephone counselling and find it works just as well as face-to -face. Being safe and experiencing safety is essential at this time however, there will undoubtedly be additional stresses of feeling confined and alone or having little alone time if you are at home with a family. In my experience this is the time where we all need support and a listening ear. Being aware of the possible financial uncertainties we face reduced fees are available.
I have significant experience working alongside social care and specialised in building a relationship and mediating families who were in crisis and trauma. Further to this I am also a Theraplay® practitioner in this role I bring parents and their children together at a time when behaviours and challenges seem out of control with the aim of achieving a naturally more regulated integrated system. I have many years personal practice of meditation using simple but anchoring techniques to help calm and focus the mind and regain an inner control so that I can be free to take on life challenges with less force or fear.
The aim of my work is to enable you to increase self-awareness and notice hidden attitudes, feelings or behaviours that you may have in relation to your current situation or problem. My belief is that when we become more aware of ourselves this increases our own ability to see, challenge and change old unhelpful patterns and belief systems. Because we have unique personalities and backgrounds I find that one approach does not work for everyone, therefore, how I work with you may vary depending on your own needs and personality and how we relate to one another during our time together.
Within my counselling profession, I have worked with adults and young people who have faced difficulties from substance abuse, mental/physical/sexual abuse, self-esteem, depression and relationship issues. However, my work is not specific to these issues alone.
Prior to, during and after my training, I worked within the health, social and criminal justice sector. For nearly five years I have worked with organisations specialising in the rehabilitation of drug and alcohol users and prolific offenders. I currently support children, young people and their families who are facing domestic and social difficulties.
I am a registered member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and work alongside their ethical standards. I undertake regular supervision and ongoing professional development to ensure a high standard of working.
