Michael Lipo

Generally, I have more availability during the late afternoon and evenings. The latest session that I offer is 20:00, and the earliest session that I offer is 8:00. Currently, Fridays have the most availability.

I am trained in integrative psychotherapeutic counselling, which provided me with a foundational set of skills in person-centred counselling, psychodynamic psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Existential psychotherapy. I use elements from all four disciplines, and have since completed a course in Dialetical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). I favour Existential psychotherapy but apply elements of CBT as a means of practicing behavioural changes.

I focus on the client's story, which will include conscious and unconscious scripts or narratives about their life. I try to understand common themes or underlying issues because my experience shows me that it is far more useful to address underlying patterns of behaviour - without addressing what is underneath, it is likely that the unconscious patterns of relating to people or events will continue in different ways. In understanding ourselves and what we do automatically (or without proper consideration), we can choose to do something different, which often results in positive changes and a sense of empowerment and autonomy. We can work towards changing our environment (developing assertiveness/confidence and communication skills) and how we respond to situations (managing our emotions; addressing how we interpret events).

My first session with the client will be the same as all the others but there is slightly more emphasis placed on gathering as much information as possible about the client's reason for therapy. This may mean there are more questions than usual and less 'connecting of dots'.

I am registered with the BACP and have necessary liability insurance. I have been a psychotherapist for seven years, and I have supervised other therapists who use a range of modalities and a breadth of experience including new therapeutic practitioners and experienced child psychotherapists.

My private work as an integrative psychotherapist influences my supervisory approach and style – I tend to use interpersonal development, existential psychotherapy, and elements of CBT in my practice. As such, I am familiar with the BACP’s ethical framework and the BACP’s Good Practice in Action documentation.

I provide supervision within a private children’s home, which requires me to be aware of certain systemic processes and to have an awareness outside of the therapeutic relationship. This also helps me to think of the individual, supervisee, or therapist as part of an interconnected network. I am familiar with certain legislation, safeguarding processes, and requirements of therapeutic provisions.

I have completed various supervision training including Essential Supervision Skills (BPS) and Advanced Supervision Skills (BPS). The latter which developed my knowledge and skills to provide supervision online and to groups. I tend to meet in person for supervision but have provided supervision sessions online for various reasons.

I use various theories and models within supervision including but not limited to: The Seven Eyed Supervision Model (Hawkins and Shohet); Heron’s Six Categories of Intervention; Proctor’s Three Function Model; Resilience-based Clinical Supervision. I encourage the supervisee to bring what they think is most important and develop a strategy for prioritising clients.

The first session will be used to familiarise ourselves with each other's previous experience, develop an overview of the supervisee's practice including workload and list of clients. A focus will be on establishing the supervisory relationship and identifying key areas that the supervisee identifies as important. The agreements and contract will be explored, and an agreement of how to work with each other will be identified.