About me
Beginning with who i am
Hello! I'm Michael.
Before anything else, I’m someone who has their own history with mental health experiences. I know what it can feel like to not have everything figured out - to feel stuck, uncertain, or quietly overwhelmed. I also know how isolating that can be.
Those experiences don't position me as someone who has the answers, instead they've shaped how I sit with others, with you. Each person is different and it's really important that I show patience, attentivity and care to how complex being human can be.
I do not see people coming into therapy as needing to be “fixed,” as that would suggest something is broken. Instead, I see therapy as a space where you do not have to hold everything on your own. A space where we can gently explore what feels confusing, heavy, or hard to name, and begin to make sense of it together.
How I work
My work is person-centred and experiential, that means we being with where you are, not where you think you should be.
I pay close attention to what is happening in the moment. The feelings that show up. The thoughts that circle. The shifts in tone. The pauses. Sometimes what feels most important is felt underneath.
All of this forms part of you. These experiences are not random or insignificant. They are meaningful, and they tell a story about who you are and how you have learned to navigate the world.
There is a sense of togetherness in how we explore these aspects of yourself. Not me analysing you, and not you trying to get it “right”, but us paying attention, side by side. Over time, this can help you access a deeper awareness and understanding of yourself.
Some weeks our work might simply be about making space for what you have been carrying. Saying things out loud that have stayed internal for a long time.
Other weeks we may begin to notice patterns. How you respond to pressure. The ways you protect yourself. The expectations you place on yourself without even realising.
We move at your pace. I will not set an agenda for you. I may gently reflect what I notice or invite you to stay with something a little longer, but the direction remains yours.
You do not need clarity before you begin. Often our work starts in uncertainty. We make sense of things together.
Professional background
My work is supported by formal training, ongoing supervision and a commitment to ethical practice.
My therapy practice is informed by the following:
- Ma in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice
- BSc in Psychology
- 5 years of experience within mental health industry
- Enhanced DBS check
Alongside my training i engage in ongoing professional development to ensure my practice remains reflective and responsive to new learning