Melina Sarra-May

Welcome to Melina Therapy, private and confidential online Counselling Therapy, Wellness Coaching and Clinical Supervision, for individuals, couples, groups and fellow clinicians who are seeking support for their mental health and wellbeing. From working with your past issues to improving your everyday self-care and wellness. I provide bespoke therapy, drawn from my 30 years’ experience working with a wide range of mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, loss, grief and low self-esteem. To more complex childhood issues and trauma that may have been supressed and unable to talk about before.

Melina Therapy is a trauma informed practice, drawn from my experiences of working directly with trauma and understanding the neuroscience of how past pain and abuse can sit within our mind and body consciousness and affect our daily functioning and wellbeing. I have expertise in addictions, substance misuse, relationships, rape, sexual violence, trauma and PTSD as well as positive methods to influence your daily habits and activities.

At any time in our lives, we may have to face difficult challenges which have a big impact on our mental health. Whether this is from a recent event or links and triggers from our past, which can leave us feeling isolated, overwhelmed and confused. Melina Therapy can offer you the additional emotional support to find clarity and begin to heal and become sound again. I understand that attending therapy can seem daunting. However, it means that you are taking a positive approach and wanting to grow as a person and get in touch with your true self.

I work from an integrative approach, which includes, Person Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Neuro Linguistic Programming and Solution Focused Therapy. With a unique blend of Eastern and Western philosophies to find resolution from your past, reach your goals and enhance your health and positive wellness. 

I would describe Melina Therapy as a safe, warm environment where you can feel rest assured by my professional expertise, experience and ethical conduct. I take a holistic approach to understand you as a whole person, rather than just the issue that you are presenting with. I have a passion for my work which has led to significant experience working with often marginalised client groups and communities, whether this has been through gender, identity, issue, circumstance or culture and I take pride in the inclusiveness within my practice.

In therapy we often need to look into our past, however, the aim is not to blame, but to understand, change our meaning, our narrative and our sense of ourselves and our story. I would describe therapy as the process of meeting to resolve these problematic thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Sometimes it is more the things that we are not saying, rather than the things that we are that as a therapist, I can draw out and assist you with. Whilst working at a gentle pace that feels right for you to feel in control of your journey.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, over-thinking and unable to 'switch off' from your thoughts. Feeling low and more tearful than usual. Feeling angry or struggling to regulate your emotions, these are signs that you would benefit from therapy. Similarly, if you are hard on yourself and lacking in self-care and compassion towards yourself, we can bring peace, calm and motivational techniques into 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 to my Clinical Supervision service. Offering private and confidential online supervision. Encompassing 30 years' clinical practice and drawn from my experiences of working with children, young people, adults, couples and family dynamics. Within private practice, charities, the NHS, schools, universities, E.A.P and corporate business.

I am experienced in working with a vast variety of mental health issues. From anxiety, depression, loss, grief to more sensitive and complex crisis and trauma. With expertise in addictions, sexual abuse, sexual violence, trauma and PTSD. I have extensive experience working with marginalised and hard to reach clients, whether they have been stigmatised due to gender, sexuality, culture or circumstance.

Clinical Supervision is for counsellors, psychotherapists and professionals whose roles impact upon their mental health and will benefit from additional support and the process of supervision. Similar to the process of therapy, where you will meet with a supervisor who is trained and impartial. For some therapists this is a professional requirement of their professional body.

I would describe 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. 

I believe that warmth, openness and authenticity are key qualities to building trust and honesty within the supervisory relationship. While the consistency of supervision is essential to affirming the supervisory bond and depth of the work. 

My therapeutic approach is Integrative and drawn from a unique blend of therapies and coaching techniques. With Person Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Solution Focused Therapy, informing my practice. Enabling me to tailor your supervision to your individual need. 

When it comes to your supervision I believe it is important to have a knowledgeable professional you can turn to. Please browse my previous career pathway.

Rape Crisis at the 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. Using a variety of creative mediums for expression.

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

Compass Drug and Alcohol Services. Support to young people and adults with chaotic and problematic substance misuse.  Working with women and collaborating with outreach services for sex workers and hard to reach service users.

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.

My clinical supervision service is online. As more therapists are recognising the convenience that online supervision offers, without time, travel and geographical restrictions. Allowing you to connect with a supervisor of your choice. Available on a variety of platforms. All you need is a private space and a good internet connection.