Michael Swales

I am an integrative therapist and a registered member of the BACP, working with individuals, couples and groups across London and offering long and short-term therapy online via Zoom, walking therapy outdoors in central London parks and face-to-face sessions at various locations across the city.

I practice a caring and compassionate therapeutic approach focused on relationships, trauma, and recovery. The foundation of the work is about our relationship with ourselves - and how that plays out in our connection to others.

By increasing the awareness of our cognitive, behavioural, and emotional worlds - and working on the relationship between our body and mind - we can improve our self-esteem, release past traumas, and reduce anxiety and depression.

Growth and change come through insight, experiencing and expressing our feelings. Working experientially helps to break down our barriers to emotional intimacy and release unhealthy or addictive coping strategies. When we heal our trauma, we discover the ability to choose rather than to react - our vitality returns, allowing us to experience our life fully.

The therapy sessions focus on your potential, not the pathology - and together, we work towards the recovery that works best for you. 

The first session is about why you have come to therapy, what you want, and how you get there. We look at the barriers to emotional intimacy that are present for you and how your past relationship patterns and histories impact you now.

Working experientially helps to break down barriers to emotional intimacy and to release unhealthy or addictive coping strategies, creating a space in which to heal and thrive. By understanding the connection between your body and mind, you can transform yourself, your relationships and your life in a safe and confidential space. Working with whatever issues you raise, with a focus on your needs and expectations, without judgement.

I draw on the principles of Gestalt, Person-Centre, Transpersonal and Psychodynamic models of theory, with the most crucial part of the therapy being the quality of the relationship and connection between us. A space where trust is created so that awareness, healing and transformation can happen. These are the foundations that allow the exploration of who you are and the life you want.

My recovery approach focuses on restoring safety, empowerment, and the ability to choose. This does not necessarily mean complete freedom from past traumatic effects but by nurturing the ability to live in the present without being overwhelmed by the thoughts and feelings of the past we can establish significant improvements in our daily quality of life.

Healing occurs through changes in perspective. We grow and transform through insight, experiencing and expressing ourselves.

Our first session is about what brought you to therapy, what you want and how you get there. We usually focus on the present to understand what is happening in your life now and how that impacts you.

The treatment begins with creating a safe environment without judgement, focusing on the present to understand what is happening in your life and what you think and feel about it.

Working experientially in the present you can grow an awareness of the thoughts and feelings that come up for you. Through this process of discovery, we create positive change.

The healing process begins with insight, experiencing and expressing your feelings - you can discover the ability to choose rather than to react - your vitality returns, allowing you to experience your life to the full. 

Please contact me for availability

I am an integrative therapist and a registered member of the BACP, working with individuals, couples and groups across London and offering long and short-term therapy online via Zoom, walking therapy outdoors in central London parks and face-to-face sessions at various locations across the city. 

I practice a caring and compassionate therapeutic approach focused on relationships, trauma, and recovery. The foundation of the work is about our relationship with ourselves - and how that plays out in our connection to others. 

By increasing the awareness of our cognitive, behavioural and emotional worlds - and working on the relationship between our body and mind - we can improve our self-esteem, release past traumas, and reduce anxiety and depression.

Growth and change come through insight, experiencing and expressing our feelings. Working experientially helps to break down our barriers to emotional intimacy and release unhealthy or addictive coping strategies. When we heal our trauma, we discover the ability to choose rather than to react - our vitality returns, allowing us to experience our life fully.

The therapy sessions focus on your potential, not the pathology - and together, we work towards the recovery that works best for you. 

The first session is about why you have come to therapy, what you want, and how you get there. We look at the barriers to emotional intimacy that are present for you and how your past relationship patterns and histories impact you now.

Working experientially helps to break down barriers to emotional intimacy and to release unhealthy or addictive coping strategies, creating a space in which to heal and thrive. By understanding the connection between your body and mind, you can transform yourself, your relationships and your life in a safe and confidential space. Working with whatever issues you raise, with a focus on your needs and expectations, without judgement.

I draw on the principles of Gestalt, Person-Centre, Transpersonal and Psychodynamic models of theory, with the most crucial part of the therapy being the quality of the relationship and connection between us. A space where trust is created so that awareness, healing and transformation can happen. These are the foundations that allow the exploration of who you are and the life you want.

My recovery approach focuses on restoring safety, empowerment, and the ability to choose. This does not necessarily mean complete freedom from past traumatic effects but by nurturing the ability to live in the present without being overwhelmed by the thoughts and feelings of the past we can establish significant improvements in our daily quality of life.

Healing occurs through changes in perspective. We grow and transform through insight, experiencing and expressing ourselves. 

Our truth. Vitality returns and we can fully experience our life.

Please contact by phone or email for an introductory session.

                                            Relationship Therapy

I employ a multifaceted approach to address the unique challenges and dynamics of relationships. looking at the journey from dependency to separation and individuation. This model emphasises the importance of resolving childhood conflicts to achieve mature, differentiated selves, crucial for the health of the relationship.

The therapeutic process is tailored to the needs of each relationship and focuses on enhancing communication, fostering understanding, and building trust. We explore how unresolved issues from each partner's past can influence current interactions and relationship patterns. 

By bringing these unconscious influences to light, couples can develop greater empathy for each other and a deeper understanding of their mutual needs.

The sessions are designed to help partners identify and articulate their feelings, needs, and expectations. We use role-playing, active listening exercises, and conflict-resolution strategies to help couples develop healthier ways of relating to each other. These tools are vital for breaking old patterns and establishing new, more constructive behaviours.

Moreover, we address specific issues such as intimacy, co-dependency, trust, and respect - the elements that contribute to the emotional depth and resilience of a relationship. My goal is to help couples navigate through crises and empower them to build a robust foundation for a long-term, fulfilling partnership.

Couples Counselling with me is a collaborative and dynamic process. It is designed to facilitate not just the resolution of conflicts but also to celebrate and enhance the strengths of the relationship. 

By creating a safe, non-judgmental space, couples can explore and grow together, finding ways to reconnect and rekindle the passion and love that brought them together. 

Whether addressing day-to-day challenges or more profound relational issues, your therapy sessions are committed to promoting respect, affection, and mutual growth.

My therapeutic approach aims to enhance self-awareness and foster a holistic understanding of how your thoughts, behaviours, and emotions are interconnected. By exploring the relationship between your psychological and physical states, we can improve self-esteem, process past traumas, and alleviate anxiety.

Therapy with me involves an experiential method where we identify and work through the emotional barriers that hinder intimacy and explore how past relationships influence current behaviours. 

This process not only helps in healing trauma but also in letting go of maladaptive coping mechanisms, enabling a more authentic choice-driven life. Working experientially helps to break down barriers to emotional intimacy and to release unhealthy or addictive coping strategies, creating a space in which to heal and thrive. 

By understanding the connection between your body and mind, you can transform yourself, your relationships and your life in a safe and confidential space. Working with whatever issues you raise, with a focus on your needs and expectations, without judgement.

Healing occurs through changes in perspective. We can grow and transform through insight, experiencing and expressing ourselves.

Our first session is about what brought you to therapy, what you want and how you can get there. We usually focus on the present to understand what is happening in your life now and how that impacts you.

The treatment begins with creating a safe environment without judgement, focusing on the present to understand what is happening in your life and what you think and feel about it.

Working experientially in the present you can grow an awareness of the thoughts and feelings that come up for you. Through this process of discovery, we are able to create positive change.

The healing process begins with insight, experiencing and expressing your feelings - you can discover the ability to choose rather than to react.

Telling your story in a safe and confidential setting without judgment is where we usually start. By working together on what you need, we can create positive changes that lead to the lessening of anxiety and depression and the freedom to choose rather than react emerging from the work. My relational, experiential approach can help you become aware, empowered and ready to take on what’s next. 

I am an integrative therapist and a registered member of the BACP, working with individuals, couples and groups across London and offering long and short-term therapy online via Zoom, walking therapy outdoors in central London parks and face-to-face sessions at various locations across the city.

I practice a caring and compassionate therapeutic approach focused on relationships, trauma, and recovery. The foundation of the work is about our relationship with ourselves - and how that plays out in our connection to others.

By increasing the awareness of our cognitive, behavioural, and emotional worlds - and working on the relationship between our body and mind - we can improve our self-esteem, release past traumas, and reduce anxiety and depression.

Growth and change come through insight, experiencing and expressing our feelings. Working experientially helps to break down our barriers to emotional intimacy and release unhealthy or addictive coping strategies. When we heal our trauma, we discover the ability to choose rather than to react - our vitality returns, allowing us to experience our life fully.

The therapy sessions focus on your potential, not the pathology - and together, we work towards the recovery that works best for you. 

The first session is about why you have come to therapy, what you want, and how you get there. We look at the barriers to emotional intimacy that are present for you and how your past relationship patterns and histories impact you now.

Working experientially helps to break down barriers to emotional intimacy and to release unhealthy or addictive coping strategies, creating a space in which to heal and thrive. By understanding the connection between your body and mind, you can transform yourself, your relationships and your life in a safe and confidential space. Working with whatever issues you raise, with a focus on your needs and expectations, without judgement.

I draw on the principles of Gestalt, Person-Centre, Transpersonal and Psychodynamic models of theory, with the most crucial part of the therapy being the quality of the relationship and connection between us. A space where trust is created so that awareness, healing and transformation can happen. These are the foundations that allow the exploration of who you are and the life you want.

My approach focuses on restoring safety, empowerment, and the ability to choose. This does not necessarily mean complete freedom from past traumatic events, but by nurturing the ability to live in the present without being overwhelmed by the thoughts and feelings of the past, we can establish significant improvements in our daily quality of life.

Healing occurs through changes in perspective. We grow and transform through insight, experiencing and expressing ourselves.

Our first session is about what brought you to therapy, what you want and how you get there. We usually focus on the present to understand what is happening in your life now and how that impacts you.

The treatment begins with creating a safe environment without judgement, focusing on the present to understand what is happening in your life and what you think and feel about it.

Working experientially in the present you can grow an awareness of the thoughts and feelings that come up for you. Through this process of discovery, we create positive change.

The healing process begins with insight, experiencing and expressing your feelings - you can discover the ability to choose rather than to react - your vitality returns, allowing you to experience your life to the full.