Melissa Purnell

• I currently have availability for one-to-one counselling on Mondays and Tuesdays. 
• I can provide short-term or long-term sessions depending on your needs. 
• I offer weekly, face-to-face sessions. 
• I can offer online or face-to-face, Educational Reflective Supervision to school staff, such as SLT, Safeguarding Leads, and ASD, SEMH Staff. 

I hold an MA in Psychodynamic Counselling and work with Adults, Adolescents and Children.

I am a qualified primary teacher and have worked in additional resource provisions supporting children with complex trauma. 

I am registered with the BACP and in the process of applying for accreditation. I also have the relevant insurance and I am registered with the ICO.

Work Experience

• I have substantial experience (25 years) working in the Education sector as a Teacher and Counsellor. 
  
• I am employed (part-time) as a School Counsellor in East London supporting staff and pupils. 
  
• I offer Educational Supervision to school staff such as DSL leads, SEMH and Autism Practitioners and EYFS staff. 
  
• I currently have a private psychodynamic practice in Chelmsford supporting adolescents and adults. 
• I have previously supported a local Hospice as a Child and Adolescent (4-18 years) Bereavement Counsellor.

Benefits of Counselling

Life is not always straightforward, our lives can become challenging at times, causing us to feel overwhelmed with an array of complex emotions which can impact our daily lives.

Very often we don’t have someone we can completely share our innermost thoughts and emotions with so having someone who is a trained professional, not connected with their life allows the opportunity to open up and confide in.

Dedicating time to yourself to explore issues which affect your life is beneficial, as it will give you the time and space you need to work things out.

I trust that I can provide a safe, non-judgmental space to work collaboratively with you to explore ways to help you move forward.

What is Psychodynamic Counselling? Psychodynamic counselling is a non-directive therapy that aims to assist people in exploring the more unconscious aspects of their behaviour, thoughts and feelings. By examining these issues we can gain clarity and make the necessary changes to improve psychological well-being and aid personal growth.

I offer individual counselling with each session lasting 50 minutes. I provide a safe and confidential space for those looking for either long or short-term counselling.

I can provide online or face-to-face sessions. 

My consultancy room is spacious, with a welcoming feel. It has parking on site for the duration of your session and is within a short walk to Oaklands Park. 

I offer reflective supervision for School Staff, where we meet for one hour a month to discuss difficult cases. The case and direction of discussion are chosen by the supervise, who is then guided to examine their thoughts and feelings about the case and use this awareness to better serve the client. 

I offer Sand Tray Therapy which is a form of counselling. Clients are encouraged to create three-dimensional pictures in sand trays using miniature objects or figures. It is an expressive, non-verbal, creative approach that can be used with people of all ages. 

I also offer Clay Field Therapy for those who may find talking too difficult when expressing emotions. The therapeutic focus is not on object creation, but on the touch connection with the clay as a symbolic external world. 

Initially, it is advisable to have a 15-minute phone consultation to orient ourselves on how and why we would want to work together and to answer any questions you might have. Phone consultations are free of charge.

If we decide to further our work, I would invite you for an assessment, where we could establish your therapy goals and get to know each other better. This is also an opportunity to organise our meetings for regular counselling sessions and discuss fees and other, concerning details. This session may take up to 90 minutes and is charged at £80.