Michael Forrest

I work Mon to Wed in person from my practice room in Westbury-on-Trym

About Michael

I am a BACP accredited counsellor and psychotherapist, who has been working with individuals and couples since 2005. In the same year, I became a certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication (NVC). Since then, I have worked as a bereavement counsellor in a hospice and psychotherapist in the NHS. I also worked for social services, out-of-hours emergency duty team, for 12 years - supporting families in crisis, through conflict resolution and mediation.

I have over 30 years’ experience in Mindfulness. My training in this started in my mid-20s, as a Theravada Buddhist Monk, through to my early 30s. Nowadays, it enables me to work with a subtle body-based awareness of what’s happening, moment-to-moment, in the therapeutic relationship. I use a synthesis of approaches I have learnt and trained in. Initially, this was to heal my own trauma but subsequently, these have become an integrated part of me and my therapeutic work.

My Specialisms Include:

Anxiety

Depression

Trauma

Anger Issues

Relationship Issues

Couples

Loss & Bereavement

Confidence & Self-Esteem

Mindfulness

Embodied Movement

My Approach

The way I work recognises that early life experiences and relationships may have shaped how you experience the world. These things can profoundly affect your sense of self – for better or worse. This may contribute to a feeling of 'dis-ease', at times, because to survive you needed to disconnect to protect from overwhelming emotions. This is a natural coping mechanism but, if left in place indefinitely, reduces your capacity to be spontaneous and fully engage in life.

Having been through a deep therapeutic journey myself, I understand that reconnecting to your ‘felt’ experience in therapy can be challenging. So, I offer my presence as an anchor and guide you gently and compassionately into an awareness of your inner experience. Over time, you build the capacity to stay with this and what you meet there. Experiencing at a bodily, felt-sense level what has been avoided is the key to resolving trauma. Sometimes, it also leads to insight and deeper understanding.

My presence, combined with yours, can be a powerful force to bring forth that which is most calling your attention for healing. This may be something you are consciously aware of or something just beyond the edge of your awareness. I can help you track and navigate your inner landscape, staying with your unfolding experience in the body. However, it's important to identify and develop inner resources before working with intense experiences. This is part of the work I do with you, especially as these resources can support your integration between sessions and on-going resilience.

Individuals -  I offer an initial meeting for £25 and £60 for 50 minutes.

Couples -  I offer an initial meeting for £40 and £80 for 60 minutes. 

I work Mon to Wed in person from my practice room in Westbury-on-Trym and Thursday from my practice room in Patchway

I am a BACP accredited  psychotherapist, couples counsellor and supervisor. I am also a certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication and a facilitator in mindfulness and embodied dance. I have been in private practice since 2005

As a supervisor, I endeavour to foster a supportive and safe space to allow you to reflect on all aspects of your practice. This may include working with ethical tensions, reviewing decisions, exploring any regrets or 'therapeutic errors' as a well as appreciating your successes. My intention is to hold a balance between working in a restorative and facilitative way, whilst also offering gentle challengewhere needed. What supports trust-building between us, is a willingness on my part to be open to receiving your feedback about the effectiveness of our work together. Feedback can help me better understand and meet your needs.

I offer an initial free 20 min phone or video call followed by £60 an hour pro rata (longer sessions)

I work in person Thursday from my practice room in Patchway and Mon to Wed from my practice room in Westbury-on-Trym

I am a BACP accredited psychotherapist, couples counsellor and supervisor. I am also a certified trainer in Nonviolent Communication and a facilitator in mindfulness and embodied dance. I have been in private practice since 2005

As a supervisor, I endeavour to foster a supportive and safe space to allow you to reflect on all aspects of your practice. This may include working with ethical tensions, reviewing decisions, exploring any regrets or 'therapeutic errors' as a well as appreciating your successes. My intention is to hold a balance between working in a restorative and facilitative way, whilst also offering gentle challengewhere needed. What supports trust-building between us, is a willingness on my part to be open to receiving your feedback about the effectiveness of our work together. Feedback can help me better understand and meet your needs.

FREE - 20-minute phone or video call, followed by:

£60 - an hour or pro rata (longer sessions)