Michelle Carson

I currently have availability within my practice. 

I offer online counselling during the hours of 8am-9pm

Bookings are taken by phone, email WhatsApp, Facebook and my website 

For the past 10 years, I have worked as a counsellor from my practice in Brentwood, and I now offer online counselling, making therapy accessible wherever you are.

My approach is primarily person-centred, with CBT also incorporated where it feels helpful. But ultimately, I believe the most important part of counselling is the relationship we build and the space we create together.

You can bring whatever you need to bring.

There doesn’t have to be a neat beginning, a clear explanation or even an understanding of what is wrong. You can bring the thoughts that keep going round in your head, the things you find difficult to say out loud, your relationships, your worries, your anger, your sadness, or simply the feeling that something isn’t right.

Together, we can begin to make sense of it.

We might explore patterns that keep repeating, experiences that have left their mark, pain, trauma, loss, loneliness, relationship difficulties or misunderstandings. 

Sometimes we may look back at what has happened in your life and how it has shaped the way you see yourself and other people. 

Sometimes the most important thing is simply having someone genuinely listen and help you understand what you are feeling.

I don’t see you as a problem that needs fixing. I see you as a person with a story, and I want to understand that story with you.

I will offer warmth, honesty, curiosity and, when it feels appropriate, gentle challenge. I won’t tell you what you should do or make decisions for you. Instead, we will work together to understand what is happening, what may be keeping you stuck, and what you might want to do differently.

My hope is that you leave counselling with a greater understanding of yourself, more choice in how you respond to life, and a sense that things really can be different.

You bring the material. We’ll work with it together.

Your first session is an initial assessment and usually takes around 90 minutes. This gives us time to slow things down and gain a good understanding of what has brought you to counselling, what you are hoping to get from it, and what you would like to work towards.

We’ll explore what is happening for you now, some of the experiences that may have contributed to this, and what you feel you would like to change or understand.

You don’t need to arrive knowing exactly what you want to say. We can start wherever you are and work it out together.

For couples, I offer an individual initial assessment with each person before beginning the couple work. This gives me the opportunity to understand each individual’s experiences, needs, expectations and goals before we start exploring the relationship together.

The initial assessment is also an opportunity for you to get a feel for me and how I work, and to decide whether you feel comfortable working with me.