Melanie George

I combine a Person Centred Approach with Trauma Psychotherapy to offer a therapeutic relationship that is able to be highly attuned, safe and adaptable to the varying needs of clients.

I believe that depth of connection with ourselves and others is what allows for personal exploration and change, particularly in therapy. Therefore, I strive to provide the conditions that allow for us to have a strong working relationship based on understanding, acceptance and honesty.

I am British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Accredited with over 12 years of counselling experience, supporting people in the Prison Service, charities, NHS and universities.

A core part of my way of being is my natural ability to hold a grounded space for those parts of ourselves we may fear, find shameful or wish to avoid. I understand how important it is to have a space where all parts of you feel genuinely seen and accepted. I am also actively interested in social justice and challenging systemic oppression, awareness of how these factors show up in our own experience can be a useful element in therapy.

As a neurodivergent and creative person myself I have a natural interest in different processing styles and ways of finding our personal ways of flowing in the world.

My core training is in the Person-Centred Approach, which aligns well with my natural values and own way of being in the world. Through bringing curiosity to your experiences I strive to thoroughly understand your story, I listen with deep respect and communicate honestly. Being deeply heard in this way can be a powerful step towards acceptance and change.

I have further trained in Trauma Psychotherapy and integrate this through paying attention to the connection between body and mind. This helps us notice the impact of stress, anxiety and trauma on the body. Paying attention to this and integrating it into our understanding of day to day experiences can support shifts where we may have previously felt stuck. It can also be helpful in sessions to ensure we are staying in a frame of working that is both manageable and helpful.

Alongside this, I can draw on Life Coaching tools to support practical, solution-focused steps when that feels helpful. As a relational therapist, I bring flexibility to our work, responding and adapting to what arises throughout the process of working together.

I understand that words aren’t always the easiest way to express yourself. Whilst communicating through words is welcomed, so is the use of metaphor, imagery, movement, objects, creativity, or noticing sensations in the body. It is important we work together to adapt processing styles to your needs. However you choose to show up, it will be welcomed and valued.