I am Mike. I am a qualified counsellor and supervisor with many years of experience working with adults and young people in various settings.
Style of Counselling: I am a person-centred counsellor using an integrative framework. My work is underpinned by different approaches including humanistic approaches, cognitive behavioural therapy, Mindfulness, solution focused and creative ways of working. In working with you I provide the space for you to be able to be yourself and explore what you would like to in a confidential, supportive and reflective safe setting. I feel being integrative in my approach provides you with the space that is also adaptable to ensure I am able to provide you with what you want to be able to grow or discuss something that has affected you.
I truly believe that if we can just be heard unconditionally and not be judged while we are being open about our experiences or situation then we can find a way to cope with whatever we are dealing with. I endeavour to provide this to anyone that decides counselling can help them through and make some changes in their life.
My passion in life is to help others using the skills and abilities I have built on to support those who would like to change. I can assist clients in that change and in doing so I ensure that it is you that is empowered to do this. As a supervisor I support both qualified and trainee counsellors in their work as they develop.
Location
I am conveniently located in Puriton, Somerset near Bridgwater & Burnham on Sea. The counselling room offers easy access from the M5 motorway, free parking, and a confidential, quiet space for entering and leaving sessions. 15 minutes from Weston-Super-Mare junction, 15 minutes from Taunton junction, less than 10 minutes from Burnham-on-sea junction and 20 minutes from Glastonbury/Street.
Face to Face Counselling
I can provide face-to-face counselling in my counselling room.
Online or telephone counselling:
If you find online or telephone sessions more suitable then I can provide either of these methods at your convenience.
I am a qualified and experienced Counsellor to Diploma Level 5, accredited with National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society MNCPS (Acc.) and have been working supporting and counselling people in the charity sector and in private practice for a number of years. I provide counselling for adults as well as young people.
Qualifications
Diploma in Supervision - Iron Mill, Exeter, Devon
Level 5 Diploma in Counselling NCPS Accred- Bridgwater College, Somerset
Level 3 & 4 in Counselling - Bridgwater, Somerset
Level 2 in counselling - Bridgwater, Somerset
Diploma in Mindfulness - Heartwood Counselling, Devon
Grief Therapy – Portland Institute
NCFE level 2 Mental Health
Mental Health First aid
Counselling Children and Young People
Other areas of training I have carried out include:
Understanding Traumatic bereavement
Working with suicide and self-harm
Working with people who Self-injure
Various Trauma training
Spirituality and Psychotherapy
Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Borderline Personality Disorder
Suicide Prevention Skills
Therapy for men
Working in a time limited framework
Inner-child work
Obsessional Compulsive Disorder – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cutting edge Connections between Spirituality & Psychotherapy
Vicarious Trauma
Mindfulness:
I have a diploma qualification in Mindfulness so I am able to help people deal with anxiety, physical symptoms and other conditions by understanding some simple techniques they can use to reduce these symptoms.
Supervision:
My diploma and experience in supervision helps provide a supportive space for training and qualified counsellors in practice, for more information about this please take a look at my supervision page or website.
Professional background:
My career encompasses a rich and varied history of providing emotional support to individuals in diverse circumstances, spanning mental health services, charitable organisations, and private practice.
I've worked at notable organisations such as Mind (Mental Health Charity) in Somerset, Marie Curie's emotional support service, and St Margaret's Hospice, where I provided counselling to relatives dealing with bereavement. Additionally, I've worked with a charity specialising in emotional support for individuals facing traumatic deaths, guiding them through the challenging process of attending Coroners' Court inquests.
My experience extends to supporting carers within a charity in Weston-Super-Mare and providing assistance to young people in a school environment in Somerset. I've also worked with and supported adults and young people who identify as being neurodivergent. My career has included diverse roles including working with children and young people in the education sector, hospitality industry, construction, and with local authorities.
My primary focus has been on expanding my knowledge in mental health and staying abreast of the latest methods to support individuals who may feel overwhelmed by life's complexities. Understanding the intricacies of our experiences is the first step toward making positive changes, and I am dedicated to helping individuals reach a better place.
Below highlights some of the areas I can cover in counselling but I am not limited to.
Bereavement, Grief and Loss:
Navigating grief and loss can be a challenge at times, often catching us off guard with the intensity of emotions. Whether facing the loss of a loved one to death or circumstances that make contact impossible, the impact can be deeply felt.
Since 2014, I've been offering a supportive space for individuals facing loss and grief. My extensive experience and training have equipped me to guide individuals through various forms of loss, recognising that processing these emotions requires time and a compassionate environment.
My work extends to providing support and counselling for those mourning the loss of someone due to death, life-limiting conditions, sudden deaths, suicide bereavement, and complicated grief. I've been involved in charitable sectors supporting individuals coping with end-of-life conditions and bereavement.
In addition, I've supported individuals navigating the complexities of the Coroner Court processes, especially in cases where an investigation is necessary, recognising the added complications this can bring to the grieving process. If you or a loved one is currently experiencing loss or grief, I am here to offer understanding and support.
I work with people who are experiencing or would like to change:
Anxiety
Depression, low mood or sadness
Feeling lonely
Self-harm
Low self-esteem or confidence
Behaviours
Work related:
You might be seeking counselling to address challenges related to your professional life. This could involve work-related stress, difficulties returning to work due to health concerns, concerns about job security such as redundancy or the fear of it, experiences of workplace bullying, the job search process, or coping with unemployment.
Life-limiting/Terminal Illness or long-term conditions:
I have worked supporting people with a terminal illness, those caring for people who have a terminal illness and supporting those family and friends after someone has died from a terminal/life limiting illness.
Suicide/Suicide bereavement:
I have experience providing counselling around suicidal thoughts and feelings as well as processing around a loved one who may have died by suicide.
Trauma:
Trauma comes in so many forms and it can be really difficult to be able to talk about this with someone else. I begin with building the trust and the space for you to be able to feel comfortable sharing what you would like to talk about. The pace is set by you.
Family and childhood experiences:
I help process and work with family and childhood experiences you have had to help come to a better place with them in the here and now. Including family dynamics that might be present today or previously.
Sexuality, Orientation and gender identity:
I have experience working with people who want to talk about and process around struggles, experiences or history around their sexual orientation or gender.
Adolescents & Neurodivergent:
I have a background in working with adolescents and I have provided counselling for young people for a few years for a range of reasons. I have also worked with young people who identify as being neurodivergent i.e. Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia etc. If you are an adult who identifies as being neurodivergent I am also able to work with you in a counselling setting.
Physical Symptoms:
I believe that our physical symptoms can also be something that affects us in life and talking about this subject and what the physical symptoms do to us can be a part of the work we talk about. It is sometimes hard for others to accept we are feeling those symptoms and what they may represent, but having someone listen about what is going on for you can help.
Self-Development, Personal Growth:
Through counselling we can improve parts of ourselves by talking about the challenges we might face, the way that we are around others or the things holding us back sometimes. This can include so many different aspects of our lives for instance love, relationships, friendships, work/career, sport/physically etc.
The above shows some of the areas I can help you with but is not limited to, please get in touch with me and we can have a consultation over what you are looking for.
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