Michael Lipo

Most open slots are weekday day time. There is also a few evenings slots open that could work for new clients.

I work with people who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unclear about the direction their life is taking. My role is to help you understand what is keeping you in unhelpful patterns and to develop practical strategies for meaningful change.

As an integrative therapist, I tailor my approach to your specific circumstances and goals. I draw from CBT to address unhelpful thinking patterns, psychodynamic work to understand recurring relationship dynamics, DBT skills for managing difficult emotions, solution-focused techniques that build on your existing strengths, and existential therapy when exploring questions of meaning and purpose.

I offer a non-judgemental space where you can explore whatever you are experiencing. My therapeutic style balances genuine warmth with direct, honest feedback. I will support you in building self-awareness and emotional resilience, and I will also challenge you when I notice patterns that might be holding you back. This is not about criticism—it is about helping you recognise what you might not see clearly on your own.

Between sessions, I typically provide worksheets, tasks, or reflection prompts tailored to what we are working on. These are not compulsory, but clients who engage with them tend to make faster progress.

What matters most is not the specific methods we use, but the collaborative relationship we build together—one grounded in trust, mutual respect, and my genuine commitment to your wellbeing and development.

Therapy is a collaborative process. We will explore the stories you tell yourself about your life, relationships, and what is possible for you. Often, these narratives contain patterns—ways of thinking, feeling, or behaving that once served you but now create difficulties. Without addressing these underlying patterns, similar problems tend to resurface in different forms.

Through our work together, you will develop:

Stronger communication skills and assertiveness in relationships

Effective strategies to manage emotions and respond more thoughtfully to difficult situations

New perspectives that challenge self-limiting beliefs and unhelpful thought patterns

Greater emotional resilience and practical coping skills

What to Expect

I provide practical, evidence-based support alongside compassionate understanding. Sessions are conversational rather than formal. I will ask questions, offer observations, and sometimes challenge your assumptions—always with the intention of helping you move forward.

Change takes time and effort. Some people notice shifts within a few sessions; for others, particularly when working with longstanding patterns, it may take longer. I will work at a pace that feels manageable for you, whilst also encouraging you to step slightly outside your comfort zone when appropriate.

This is not about me providing answers. It is about equipping you with the insight, skills, and confidence to navigate your own life more effectively.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to understand what brings you to therapy and to establish whether we are a good fit for working together.

What Happens

We will explore what is troubling you, what you hope to achieve, and what previous attempts at change have looked like. I will ask questions to understand your situation, background, and current challenges. This helps me tailor my approach to your individual needs from the outset.

There is no formal assessment or paperwork to complete—just a genuine conversation. My aim is to create a comfortable atmosphere where you feel heard and respected.

Practical Matters

We will also discuss how our sessions will work, confidentiality limits, and what you can expect as we move forward. By the end of the session, you should have a clearer sense of how we might work together and whether my approach feels right for you.

No Pressure

You are in control of what you share. There is no expectation to disclose more than you are ready to discuss. Some people find the first session relieving; others find it daunting. Both responses are entirely normal.

If after our first meeting you decide I am not the right therapist for you, that is absolutely acceptable. Finding the right therapeutic relationship matters more than continuing with someone who does not feel like a good match.

I have spaces available:

Monday 8:00 to 15:00

Tuesday 8:00 to 20:00

Wednesday 8:00 to 20:00

Friday 8:00 to 15:00

I provide professional supervision for therapists working across diverse settings and modalities, drawing from eight years of clinical experience in private practice and residential care environments.

My supervision supports practitioners at all stages of their careers—from newly qualified therapists navigating their first caseloads to experienced clinicians seeking fresh perspectives on complex cases. I have supervised professionals working with non-directive therapy, CBT, systemic approaches, and family interventions.

What I Offer

My supervision creates a space that balances supportive guidance with constructive challenge. We will focus on:

Developing and refining your clinical practice

Expanding your therapeutic repertoire with practical, evidence-based strategies

Building professional confidence and addressing areas of uncertainty

Supporting your career progression and ongoing development

Navigating ethical dilemmas and safeguarding complexities

My Background

My experience supervising therapists in children's residential homes has given me particular insight into working within complex systems—managing competing demands, navigating legislation and safeguarding processes, and maintaining therapeutic integrity within organisational constraints.

I work with therapists in private practice as well as those employed within teams or organisations. Whether you are managing a varied private caseload or working within a specific service, I can provide supervision that is relevant and responsive to your context.

As a BACP registered counsellor, I offer supervision grounded in established theoretical frameworks and informed by diverse clinical experience.

My Approach

My supervisory style draws from interpersonal development theory, existential psychotherapy, and CBT principles. I work within BACP's Ethical Framework and Good Practice guidelines, creating a reflective space that promotes both professional growth and ethical practice.

I have completed specialised supervision training through the British Psychological Society, including Essential and Advanced Supervision Skills programmes—the latter developing expertise in online and group supervision. Whilst I prefer in-person supervision, I offer online sessions when needed.

Theoretical Frameworks

My supervision practice is informed by:

The Seven-Eyed Supervision Model (Hawkins and Shohet)

Heron's Six Categories of Intervention

Proctor's Three Function Model

Resilience-based Clinical Supervision

These frameworks ensure our supervision addresses the normative (quality assurance), formative (skill development), and restorative (practitioner wellbeing) functions.

What Supervision Looks Like

Effective supervision begins with what you bring. I will work with you to establish priorities, explore challenging cases, and develop strategies that support your practice whilst ensuring quality care for your clients.

I view supervision as fundamentally relational. My role is not to prescribe solutions but to help you think more clearly about your work, recognise your strengths and growing edges, and make informed clinical decisions.

My experience across different therapeutic contexts—from complex trauma work with adolescents in care to relationship therapy with adults—enables me to provide supervision that considers the broader systemic context of your practice.

Our initial supervision session establishes the foundation for our working relationship.

What We Will Cover

We will spend time getting to know each other's professional backgrounds and therapeutic approaches. I will develop an understanding of your current practice, including your client caseload, the settings you work in, and how you balance your workload.

Together, we will identify the areas you consider most important for your professional development—whether that is building confidence with specific presentations, expanding your theoretical knowledge, navigating ethical complexities, or developing particular skills.

Practical Foundations

We will establish our supervision contract, discussing frequency, confidentiality, record-keeping, and boundaries. This creates clarity about expectations and responsibilities on both sides.

Building the Relationship

Effective supervision requires trust and honesty. Our first session begins building that relationship, establishing a collaborative approach that suits your learning style and supervision needs.

By the end of our initial meeting, you should have a clear sense of how we will work together moving forward, what you can expect from me as your supervisor, and whether this feels like the right supervisory relationship for you.