Thanks for stopping by; I’m Mel Riley…

Hello thanks for dropping by, so you want to know a bit about me, so you can work out if I may be the right fit for you?

I am a Senior Accredited Psychotherapist who works with adults, children and families. I have a special interest in attachments and trauma born from my own abusive childhood & and I left home very young.  I have gone from being depressed and homeless to a  much more joyful (sometimes silly billy person!) and its been a rocky road of healing to become a home & business owner.

As someone who found out I was dyslexic & dyspraxic at 45, I am proud to have made it through 9 years of formal studies and  I continue to undertake personal development to keep my skills and knowledge up to date with a particular interest in neuroscience (i.e. how our bodies and brains work). I am passionate about relationships and helping people to not just survive, but thrive beyond anxiety, depression & trauma.

I have a rebellious, creative & playful approach to both my professional and personal life. I have learnt to work smarter, not harder, and believe it’s not about changing all of who we are, but more about accepting all of who we are, that allows us to grow. When not working I can be found training my two barky rescue Dachshunds to behave, enjoying playing at being a wildlife photographer & performance poet, and getting sweaty playing squash or on my spin bike.

One of my favourite sayings is: “We are taught time is a healer, but it’s what you do with that time that counts!”

How is therapy different with me?

I am not someone who nods alot and leaves you drowning wondering if I am still awake! As a counselling coach I support you with the emotional and practical areas of your life. So whilst I won’t tell you what to do I can absolutely offer you suggestions, feed back what I notice, and teach you new tools and techniques to help you cope better. I draw from a large number of counselling approaches, among them Person-Centred, Systemic, & Play therapy with a few Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) elements and some body based work.

Clients often tell me that after just a few sessions with me it all starts to make more sense. I will give you new lenses to look through – often the past impacts the now and blocks the future if not fully understood. I believe its not what is wrong with you, but rather what has (or hasn’t) happened to you, that causes us difficulties.

I will help you explore aspects of yourself you may have previously neglected, and invite you to continue your personal development between sessions, so that you can accelerate your growth and healing.

If you don’t mind an honest, down-to-earth therapist who laughs, swears a bit, and enjoys cake like everyone else, I might be for you.

Qualifications and Accreditations

  • BACP Seniour Accreditation in Children and Young People 20015
  • Intermediate Certificate in Family Therapy and System Pratice 2014
  • Certificate in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice 2012
  • Diploma in Clinical Supervision and Consultancy (The Grove 2010)
  • BACP Accreditation 2009
  • Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play (PTUK 2008)
  • Diploma in Person Centred Counselling (ABC 2006)
  • Certificate in Counselling Skills (CPCAB 2004)
  • Registered with the United Kingdom Register for Counsellors and Psychotherapists. (UKRCP)
  • Member of Association for Family Therapy (AFT)
  • Approved therapist for Aviva, Axa, Bupa, Vitality and WPA insurance companies
  • Fully insured
  • CRB/DBS checked
  • Practice is independently supervised by a senior accredited supervisor

Ready to go on your journey? I’ll walk alongside…

If you’re hurting right now, stressed out, or your head’s in a mess, be kind to yourself and get in touch to see if I’m the right counsellor for you.

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