Melina Sarra-May

Welcome, I am Melina and I provide private and confidential therapy for your emotional mental health and wellbeing. I provide counselling and coaching to individual clients, couples, clinical supervision for practitioners and wellness groups and classes. I am a BACP Accredited Counsellor with over thirty years experience, working with clients presenting with a wide range of issues, such as anxiety, depression, loss and grief to more complex childhood issues, trauma and PTSD.  I am passionate about helping others, whether it is about themselves, their relationships or the world around them and dedicated to making a positive impact on their lives. 

Melina Therapy is a trauma informed practice, drawn from my experiences of working directly with trauma and understanding the neuroscience of how past pain sits within our mind and body, affecting how we feel, behave, our relationships and wellness. I have expertise in addictions, relationships, sexual violence, trauma and PTSD as well as mind and body methods such as breathwork and meditation to self regulate our nervous system and manage stress responses.

I work from an Integrative Approach, drawn from counselling and coaching, which includes, Person Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Trauma Informed and Solution Focused Therapy. With a unique blend of Western and Eastern philosophies and techniques to ensure that you feel safe and supported.

At any time in our lives, we can face difficult challenges, whether a recent event or triggered from the past. In therapy we often need to explore our past, however, the aim is not to blame, but to understand, with compassion, to change our meaning, our narrative and our sense of ourselves and our story. Sometimes it is more the things that we are not saying, rather than the things we are! I work at a gentle pace that feels right for you and so you can feel in control, it's your therapy, your healing.

By definition I would describe counselling as the process of healing to make or becoming sound again. Working with a professional counsellor can really help, someone who is trained and impartial to you and your situation. 

I would describe Melina Therapy as a warm, safe space for you to explore your feelings, be listened to, heard and understood, so you won't feel isolated and alone anymore. I take a holistic approach to understand you as a whole person, rather than just the issue that you are presenting with. 

My practice is inclusive regardless of gender, identity, sexuality, race or culture. I have significant experience working with marginalised client groups and communities. I have a passion for working with clients in different countries and time zones which lends itself well to online remote therapy. So you can pick the therapist of your choice rather than the regional restrictions.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, over-thinking and unable to 'switch off' from your thoughts. Anxious, low and more tearful than usual. Angry and struggling to regulate your emotions, or able to relax? These are signs that you would benefit from therapy. Similarly, if you are hard on yourself and lacking in compassion, healthy habits and self-care, we can find peace and calm, with motivational techniques to enhance your daily living. 

No matter what stage you are at in your life or in your relationships, you can discover a happier, confident and more content self. I believe that when it comes to your mental health and well-being it is important to have a safe, experienced professional that you can turn to. 

Welcome, my name is Melina and I provide clinical supervision to counsellors, therapists and practitioners in mental health and wellbeing. Encompassing over thirty years' clinical practice and drawn from my experiences of working with children, young people, adults, couples and families. Short term, long term counselling and crisis intervention, within private practice, charities, the NHS, schools, universities, E.A.P and business.

I am experienced in working with a vast variety of mental health issues, from anxiety, depression, loss and grief to more complex trauma. I have expertise in addictions, relationships, sexual abuse, sexual violence, rape, trauma and PTSD. I have extensive experience working with marginalised and often hard to reach clients, whether they have been stigmatised due to gender, identity, sexuality, race, culture or circumstance. My practice is inclusive and I enjoy working with supervisee's in different countries and time zones, which lends itself well to the online presence.

My practice is trauma informed and my therapeutic approach is Integrative and drawn from a variety of evidence based therapies with a blend of coaching and Eastern philosophies and techniques. These include Person Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Neuro-Linguistic Programming,  Trauma Informed Mind and Bodywork and Solution Focused Therapy. 

Clinical Supervision is for counsellors, psychotherapists and professionals whose roles impact upon their mental health and wellbeing. For some therapists this is a professional requirement and for anyone who recognises the support and its ethical benefits. 

I regard supervision as a collaborative space for support and guidance and an opportunity for you to explore and develop further in your practice. A safe space where you can take time to reflect, process and decompress. Where you can present cases, raise concerns and celebrate the joy of client work. 

Qualities that I bring within my Practice are warmth, openness and authenticity and you will be received with unconditional positive regard. I believe these are key to building trust and rapport within the supervisory relationship. While the consistency of supervision is essential to affirming the supervisory bond and depth of the work. 

When it comes to your supervision I believe it is important to have a knowledgeable professional you can turn to. Here are some of my previous career experience;

Rape Crisis; Nottingham Sexual Assault Referral Centre. Trauma informed, quick response, short term counselling for victims of sexual violence. 

The Children's Society Stars Project. Therapeutic play for children impacted by parental drug and alcohol misuse. 

Nottingham NHS Trust. Delivering training across the trust to staff and volunteers in Management and Personal Development.

Compass Drug and Alcohol Services; Support to young people and adults with problematic substance misuse. Inclusive of working with women, specifically pregnant women and in collaboration with outreach services for sex workers.

Compass Crack Cocaine Specialist; Working with crack cocaine addiction and developing pioneering research into specialist cocaine service provision.

The SAFE Project. A street based outreach project providing support to disadvantaged young people and families.

Support After Adoption. Social Services. Volunteer Project Worker, supporting adoptees and their families. Raising awareness of adoption and the impact of.

I provide clinical supervision online and as more therapists are recognising the convenience that online supervision offers, without time, travel and geographical restrictions. Allowing you to connect with a BACP supervisor of your choice.