Michael Bridge

I am available weekdays, evenings, and weekends by pre-arranged appointments based around additional commitments.

Hello, and thank you for visiting my profile. 

I support clients with an integrative approach to counselling, encompassing academic and practical training in humanistic counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I provide an open, non-judgemental space in which we can consider and reflect on your chosen topics at your pace.

My background involves volunteer work for two nationwide charities, covering mental health support and bereavement. I also have additional ongoing experience, training and qualifications as a support worker, assisting vulnerable adults with mental health conditions and physical disabilities with their day to day lives.

The focus of my work is to help clients to feel listened to and understood, to help them find acceptance, and/or process the aspects of their lives that may be preventing them from moving forwards. 

While for many, attending counselling may be a first; for others it may become something that is integrated within their lives which helps them build a stronger sense of self, identify and explore opportunities and challenges as they emerge, or simply used as a form of ongoing self-care. Regardless of your experience with counselling, my aim is to help all clients find time for themselves. 

I am qualified and trained in providing humanistic counselling services, in addition to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), meaning I can provide an integrative service that encompasses each or either approach, based on individual client needs. 

My practice provides a space for individuals from all backgrounds to take time for themselves, to reflect on a diverse range of issues that may be affecting their overall wellbeing and day to day life. Delivered online and/or over the phone, I aim to help clients take an often much needed personal approach to:

>Help reflect on the issues they are struggling with, and to voice their thoughts/feelings

>Consider alternative approaches/thought patterns and challenges to existing beliefs

>Provide a non-judgemental environment that encourages an open discussion of these issues

>Support clients through the counselling process itself

>Move in the direction they would like their life to take

>Provide encouragement to seek additional help and to remove the ongoing stigma concerning mental health and support, to help them feel more empowered

The initial session based on your enquiry is free, and used to discuss what has encouraged you to attend counselling, and for me to understand your specific expectations of therapy/what you hope to achieve through counselling. With this in mind, we can decide together if you would like to move forward with formal sessions and how this would work. This will involve a discussion around the use of a contract held between ourselves, and the completion of an initial assessment form. 

I will be able to commence sessions once the contract is acknowledged, agreed/signed and returned. This is provided in order to set the parameters of how we would work together to ensure appropriate safeguarding is in place.

If I feel I am unable to provide the appropriate support, I will aim to work with you to discuss other options if this is of interest to you.