Melanie Collins

I provide experienced open ended or fixed length long and short term counselling to individuals over 17 and students requiring therapy as part of training within my profession. Broad experience of providing therapy within the NHS and charitable sector. Previous wide experience in an international higher education environment provides insight into those issues commonly causing distress to students and the experience of those living away from their homeland.

My consulting room provides confidentiality and comfort in which to explore your difficulties within a relaxed but professional, non-judgemental and empathic relationship. I may make suggestions, but never tell you what you should do. By interpreting and linking aspects of your story, I help you understand and work through feelings associated with past experience.

The therapeutic relationship which develops between me and my clients is an important aspect of our work together - often reflecting patterns of behaviour and attitudes which really belong to past important childhood relationships. New insight enables understanding and personal growth whilst acknowledging what cannot be changed. It promotes life enhancing constructive change as you lay the past to rest, take control of your life again and adopt more positive attitudes and approaches.

Whilst silences offer the safe space to think and reflect, I believe at times silence can be experienced as persecutory and raise doubts that you are being truly listened to and heard.  I strive to hear both what you say, and often more importantly, what you don't say, where conversation contributes to a nurturing environment providing the space to explore and grow.  I am a mature, experienced and robust therapist who can hear whatever you need to say without judgement or expectation.

I offer an initial 50 minute session free of charge.  This provides an opportunity for you to share as much as you are comfortable with so that I can begin to develop a feel for what your need truly is and whether I am potentially the right person to work with you.  If not, I will suggest colleagues in the area who I might feel would offer a better 'fit'.  The initial session also offers the chance for you to get a feel for how it might feel working together, without commitment to continue if we are not both of the view that regular sessions could be valuable to you.