Michelle Westgarth

Service Delivery & Availability
I offer therapy in-person, online and via the telephone. I am available most weekdays & select evenings. As part of my service, a free 1-hour consultation can be arranged to discuss your needs. Please see my opening hours below. 

Introductions
Hello there, I'm Michelle. Here is a little introduction about me so you can get a feel for who I am and how I work...

I would describe myself as having a gentle yet encouraging approach to therapy and can offer you an experienced listening ear to help you feel more grounded and in control of your life.

What Can You Help Me With?
I work with various presenting issues, including anxiety and depression, those who wish to process past traumas, as well as supporting people in navigating current difficulties in their lives. 

Additionally, if you are finding it difficult to cope with a long-term health condition, disability or a caregiving role and need somebody to talk to, I might be the right therapist for you. I have a background in Carer Support, Advocacy, and Disability Studies. I also have both a personal and professional understanding of the challenges disabled people and their Carers can often face, and have dedicated myself to supporting people impacted by disability.

With this in mind, I offer a reduced fee to those receiving Carers Allowance or work-related Disability Benefits to support the cost of therapy. For practical information about accessibility, please find further details below.

Accessibility
Accessibility should not be a barrier to therapy. My practice offers ample parking, step-free access, a portable hearing loop, low-level lighting, is assistance dog friendly and provides toilet facilities with a grab rail and a raised toilet.

How Do You Deliver Therapy?
I am pleased to be able to offer therapy in person, online and via the telephone- giving clients flexibility and choice.

What Qualifications & Training Do You Have?

I am a Registered Member of the BACP and have a Master's Degree as an Integrative Therapist, meaning that I am trained to offer a diverse range of therapeutic techniques that I blend to meet individual needs. I am also a certified online and telephone therapist- allowing me to meet clients' needs with different preferences or limitations.  Please see below my relevant training qualifications:

• Counselling MSc (Level 7)
• Social Work BA Hons (Level 6)
• Child Psychology Diploma (Level 4)
• Understanding Principles & Practices of Assessment (Level 3)
• Psychology (Level 3)
• Safeguarding Adults (Level 2)
• Safeguarding Children (Level 2)
• Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
• Trauma-Informed Practitioner Training
• On-going CPD achievements 

What Experience Do You Have?
I have over ten years of experience working in mental health and disability services in both the third-sector and Statutory services. Outside of my client hours, I am an assessor for counselling college courses- supporting new therapists in to practice.

Initial Communication
After providing your details, I will email you to ask how would like to access therapy (i.e., in-person, over the telephone or online),  and arrange your initial consultation.

How Much is an Initial Consultation?
There isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to counselling, and because of this, I strongly encourage clients to contact a few possible therapists to get a feel for who they could work with.

As part of my process, I offer a one-hour, free initial consultation. During our initial discussion, we will discuss what is bringing you to therapy, what to expect from counselling and answer any questions you might have. I will also provide all the practical information about fees and scheduling so that you leave feeling fully informed.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?
As a minimum, therapists usually suggest 6-12 sessions. However, some clients prefer a longer-term arrangement. We will periodically review our work together and discuss whether you are gaining what you wanted from therapy and when you would like to conclude. 

What Are Your Fees?
Fees are set at £55 per 60-minute session. The frequency of sessions can be either weekly or fortnightly. This will be discussed in your first session.

Do You Offer Concessions?
Concessionary rates of £45 are available for those receiving Disability Benefits or Carers Allowance. Individual concessions may be considered on a discretionary basis to support the cost of therapy. Please do not hesitate to discuss your needs.

Can You Accept Payment Via Insurance?
If you wish to use health insurance to pay for the cost of therapy, please check with your insurer that they allow the use of our services, as some have specific criteria for providers.