Melissa Favre-Lorraine

I help you understand the deeper patterns behind anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, people-pleasing, relationship difficulties and emotional overwhelm so you can move from stuckness to meaningful change.

How I work

Sometimes, it's hard to understand what's really going on beneath the surface.

From the outside, your life might look perfectly fine. You're capable, you get things done, and you may even be the person other people turn to when they need help.

But underneath, maybe you're:

• holding yourself to impossible standards
• struggling to rest without feeling guilty
• overthinking conversations, decisions and relationships
• constantly anticipating other people's needs
• overwhelmed by emotions you don't quite know what to do with
• repeating painful patterns in your relationships

Perhaps you've already tried to understand yourself, through therapy, reading, or simply thinking things through... but still feel stuck.

Therapy can offer a space to slow down, become curious about what's happening beneath the surface, and begin to make sense of things that can be difficult to untangle on your own.

My approach

I don't believe therapy is about fixing yourself, or finding the right way to think yourself out of a problem.

Most of us develop ways of coping that make sense in the context of what we've experienced. Perfectionism, anxiety, people-pleasing, rumination, self-criticism, hyper-independence and the need to stay in control can all serve a purpose. At some point, they may have helped us feel safe, cope with difficult circumstances, maintain relationships or manage emotions that felt too much to hold.

The difficulty is that what once helped us cope can eventually begin to get in the way. Rather than simply trying to stop these patterns, I'm interested in understanding them.

What are they trying to do for you? What are they protecting? And do they still need to work this hard?

When we approach ourselves with curiosity rather than judgement, we can begin to understand the experiences that shaped us and develop compassion for the parts of ourselves we've struggled with. From there, it becomes possible to respond differently, with greater awareness, flexibility and choice.

The goal isn't to become a different person. It's to understand yourself deeply enough that you have more choice in how you respond, relate and live.

Couples counselling

When the same arguments keep happening again and again, it can become difficult to see how to get out of the cycle. It can feel as though the problem is your partner: they don't listen, they criticise, they shut down, they ask too much...

With Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), we'll look beneath the conflict to understand the cycle you both get caught in, and the emotions and attachment needs underneath it.

The aim isn't simply to communicate better. It's to understand what happens between you, recognise the pattern you're both caught in, and create new ways of reaching for and responding to one another.

Starting therapy

If it sounds like we could be a good fit, I'd love to hear from you.

I know that starting therapy can feel pretty scary. You don't need to have everything figured out before you come. We can begin with what's bringing you here, and take the time to understand what you've been through, what you'd like to change and what matters most to you.

I offer a free initial 20-minute consultation, giving us a chance to meet, talk about what you're looking for and see whether working together feels right.

Fees

• Individual therapy: £130
• Couples therapy: £160

When I work

• Monday: 1 pm–5 pm
• Tuesday: 9 am–5 pm
• Wednesday–Friday: 8 am–12 pm

I help you understand the deeper patterns behind anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, people-pleasing, relationship difficulties and emotional overwhelm so you can move from stuckness to meaningful change.

How I work

Sometimes, it's hard to understand what's really going on beneath the surface.

From the outside, your life might look perfectly fine. You're capable, you get things done, and you may even be the person other people turn to when they need help.

But underneath, maybe you're:

• holding yourself to impossible standards
• struggling to rest without feeling guilty
• overthinking conversations, decisions and relationships
• constantly anticipating other people's needs
• overwhelmed by emotions you don't quite know what to do with
• repeating painful patterns in your relationships

Perhaps you've already tried to understand yourself, through therapy, reading, or simply thinking things through... but still feel stuck.

Therapy can offer a space to slow down, become curious about what's happening beneath the surface, and begin to make sense of things that can be difficult to untangle on your own.

My approach

I don't believe therapy is about fixing yourself, or finding the right way to think yourself out of a problem.

Most of us develop ways of coping that make sense in the context of what we've experienced. Perfectionism, anxiety, people-pleasing, rumination, self-criticism, hyper-independence and the need to stay in control can all serve a purpose. At some point, they may have helped us feel safe, cope with difficult circumstances, maintain relationships or manage emotions that felt too much to hold.

The difficulty is that what once helped us cope can eventually begin to get in the way. Rather than simply trying to stop these patterns, I'm interested in understanding them.

What are they trying to do for you? What are they protecting? And do they still need to work this hard?

When we approach ourselves with curiosity rather than judgement, we can begin to understand the experiences that shaped us and develop compassion for the parts of ourselves we've struggled with. From there, it becomes possible to respond differently, with greater awareness, flexibility and choice.

The goal isn't to become a different person. It's to understand yourself deeply enough that you have more choice in how you respond, relate and live.

Couples counselling

When the same arguments keep happening again and again, it can become difficult to see how to get out of the cycle. It can feel as though the problem is your partner: they don't listen, they criticise, they shut down, they ask too much...

With Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), we'll look beneath the conflict to understand the cycle you both get caught in, and the emotions and attachment needs underneath it.

The aim isn't simply to communicate better. It's to understand what happens between you, recognise the pattern you're both caught in, and create new ways of reaching for and responding to one another.

Starting therapy

If it sounds like we could be a good fit, I'd love to hear from you.

I know that starting therapy can feel pretty scary. You don't need to have everything figured out before you come. We can begin with what's bringing you here, and take the time to understand what you've been through, what you'd like to change and what matters most to you.

I offer a free initial 20-minute consultation, giving us a chance to meet, talk about what you're looking for and see whether working together feels right.

Fees

• Individual therapy: £130
• Couples therapy: £160

When I work

• Monday: 1 pm–5 pm
• Tuesday: 9 am–5 pm
• Wednesday–Friday: 8 am–12 pm

I help you understand the deeper patterns behind anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, people-pleasing, relationship difficulties and emotional overwhelm so you can move from stuckness to meaningful change.

How I work

Sometimes, it's hard to understand what's really going on beneath the surface.

From the outside, your life might look perfectly fine. You're capable, you get things done, and you may even be the person other people turn to when they need help.

But underneath, maybe you're:

• holding yourself to impossible standards
• struggling to rest without feeling guilty
• overthinking conversations, decisions and relationships
• constantly anticipating other people's needs
• overwhelmed by emotions you don't quite know what to do with
• repeating painful patterns in your relationships

Perhaps you've already tried to understand yourself, through therapy, reading, or simply thinking things through... but still feel stuck.

Therapy can offer a space to slow down, become curious about what's happening beneath the surface, and begin to make sense of things that can be difficult to untangle on your own.

My approach

I don't believe therapy is about fixing yourself, or finding the right way to think yourself out of a problem.

Most of us develop ways of coping that make sense in the context of what we've experienced. Perfectionism, anxiety, people-pleasing, rumination, self-criticism, hyper-independence and the need to stay in control can all serve a purpose. At some point, they may have helped us feel safe, cope with difficult circumstances, maintain relationships or manage emotions that felt too much to hold.

The difficulty is that what once helped us cope can eventually begin to get in the way. Rather than simply trying to stop these patterns, I'm interested in understanding them.

What are they trying to do for you? What are they protecting? And do they still need to work this hard?

When we approach ourselves with curiosity rather than judgement, we can begin to understand the experiences that shaped us and develop compassion for the parts of ourselves we've struggled with. From there, it becomes possible to respond differently, with greater awareness, flexibility and choice.

The goal isn't to become a different person. It's to understand yourself deeply enough that you have more choice in how you respond, relate and live.

Couples counselling

When the same arguments keep happening again and again, it can become difficult to see how to get out of the cycle. It can feel as though the problem is your partner: they don't listen, they criticise, they shut down, they ask too much...

With Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), we'll look beneath the conflict to understand the cycle you both get caught in, and the emotions and attachment needs underneath it.

The aim isn't simply to communicate better. It's to understand what happens between you, recognise the pattern you're both caught in, and create new ways of reaching for and responding to one another.

Starting therapy

If it sounds like we could be a good fit, I'd love to hear from you.

I know that starting therapy can feel pretty scary. You don't need to have everything figured out before you come. We can begin with what's bringing you here, and take the time to understand what you've been through, what you'd like to change and what matters most to you.

I offer a free initial 20-minute consultation, giving us a chance to meet, talk about what you're looking for and see whether working together feels right.

Fees

• Individual therapy: £130
• Couples therapy: £160

When I work

• Monday: 1 pm–5 pm
• Tuesday: 9 am–5 pm
• Wednesday–Friday: 8 am–12 pm

I help you understand the deeper patterns behind anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, people-pleasing, relationship difficulties and emotional overwhelm so you can move from stuckness to meaningful change.

How I work

Sometimes, it's hard to understand what's really going on beneath the surface.

From the outside, your life might look perfectly fine. You're capable, you get things done, and you may even be the person other people turn to when they need help.

But underneath, maybe you're:

• holding yourself to impossible standards
• struggling to rest without feeling guilty
• overthinking conversations, decisions and relationships
• constantly anticipating other people's needs
• overwhelmed by emotions you don't quite know what to do with
• repeating painful patterns in your relationships

Perhaps you've already tried to understand yourself, through therapy, reading, or simply thinking things through... but still feel stuck.

Therapy can offer a space to slow down, become curious about what's happening beneath the surface, and begin to make sense of things that can be difficult to untangle on your own.

My approach

I don't believe therapy is about fixing yourself, or finding the right way to think yourself out of a problem.

Most of us develop ways of coping that make sense in the context of what we've experienced. Perfectionism, anxiety, people-pleasing, rumination, self-criticism, hyper-independence and the need to stay in control can all serve a purpose. At some point, they may have helped us feel safe, cope with difficult circumstances, maintain relationships or manage emotions that felt too much to hold.

The difficulty is that what once helped us cope can eventually begin to get in the way. Rather than simply trying to stop these patterns, I'm interested in understanding them.

What are they trying to do for you? What are they protecting? And do they still need to work this hard?

When we approach ourselves with curiosity rather than judgement, we can begin to understand the experiences that shaped us and develop compassion for the parts of ourselves we've struggled with. From there, it becomes possible to respond differently, with greater awareness, flexibility and choice.

The goal isn't to become a different person. It's to understand yourself deeply enough that you have more choice in how you respond, relate and live.

Couples counselling

When the same arguments keep happening again and again, it can become difficult to see how to get out of the cycle. It can feel as though the problem is your partner: they don't listen, they criticise, they shut down, they ask too much...

With Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), we'll look beneath the conflict to understand the cycle you both get caught in, and the emotions and attachment needs underneath it.

The aim isn't simply to communicate better. It's to understand what happens between you, recognise the pattern you're both caught in, and create new ways of reaching for and responding to one another.

Starting therapy

If it sounds like we could be a good fit, I'd love to hear from you.

I know that starting therapy can feel pretty scary. You don't need to have everything figured out before you come. We can begin with what's bringing you here, and take the time to understand what you've been through, what you'd like to change and what matters most to you.

I offer a free initial 20-minute consultation, giving us a chance to meet, talk about what you're looking for and see whether working together feels right.

Fees

• Individual therapy: £130
• Couples therapy: £160

When I work

• Monday: 1 pm–5 pm
• Tuesday: 9 am–5 pm
• Wednesday–Friday: 8 am–12 pm

I help you understand the deeper patterns behind anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, people-pleasing, relationship difficulties and emotional overwhelm so you can move from stuckness to meaningful change.

How I work

Sometimes, it's hard to understand what's really going on beneath the surface.

From the outside, your life might look perfectly fine. You're capable, you get things done, and you may even be the person other people turn to when they need help.

But underneath, maybe you're:

• holding yourself to impossible standards
• struggling to rest without feeling guilty
• overthinking conversations, decisions and relationships
• constantly anticipating other people's needs
• overwhelmed by emotions you don't quite know what to do with
• repeating painful patterns in your relationships

Perhaps you've already tried to understand yourself, through therapy, reading, or simply thinking things through... but still feel stuck.

Therapy can offer a space to slow down, become curious about what's happening beneath the surface, and begin to make sense of things that can be difficult to untangle on your own.

My approach

I don't believe therapy is about fixing yourself, or finding the right way to think yourself out of a problem.

Most of us develop ways of coping that make sense in the context of what we've experienced. Perfectionism, anxiety, people-pleasing, rumination, self-criticism, hyper-independence and the need to stay in control can all serve a purpose. At some point, they may have helped us feel safe, cope with difficult circumstances, maintain relationships or manage emotions that felt too much to hold.

The difficulty is that what once helped us cope can eventually begin to get in the way. Rather than simply trying to stop these patterns, I'm interested in understanding them.

What are they trying to do for you? What are they protecting? And do they still need to work this hard?

When we approach ourselves with curiosity rather than judgement, we can begin to understand the experiences that shaped us and develop compassion for the parts of ourselves we've struggled with. From there, it becomes possible to respond differently, with greater awareness, flexibility and choice.

The goal isn't to become a different person. It's to understand yourself deeply enough that you have more choice in how you respond, relate and live.

Couples counselling

When the same arguments keep happening again and again, it can become difficult to see how to get out of the cycle. It can feel as though the problem is your partner: they don't listen, they criticise, they shut down, they ask too much...

With Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), we'll look beneath the conflict to understand the cycle you both get caught in, and the emotions and attachment needs underneath it.

The aim isn't simply to communicate better. It's to understand what happens between you, recognise the pattern you're both caught in, and create new ways of reaching for and responding to one another.

Starting therapy

If it sounds like we could be a good fit, I'd love to hear from you.

I know that starting therapy can feel pretty scary. You don't need to have everything figured out before you come. We can begin with what's bringing you here, and take the time to understand what you've been through, what you'd like to change and what matters most to you.

I offer a free initial 20-minute consultation, giving us a chance to meet, talk about what you're looking for and see whether working together feels right.

Fees

• Individual therapy: £130
• Couples therapy: £160

When I work

• Monday: 1 pm–5 pm
• Tuesday: 9 am–5 pm
• Wednesday–Friday: 8 am–12 pm

I’m an integrative psychotherapist and supervisor, offering a warm and supportive space for therapists to reflect, learn, and develop. Whether you’re newly qualified or more experienced, I’m here to help you navigate the complexities of client work, professional challenges, and your own personal growth as a practitioner.

Supervision is about so much more than reviewing cases. It’s about creating a space where you can truly show up as yourself, explore what’s working, and figure out what’s not. My goal is to meet you where you are and adapt my approach to your needs. I work with the 7-Eyed Model for Supervision, which allows us to explore your work and your relationship with the client using a variety of angles, to ensure an in-depth review of your client work.

I bring a wealth of experience from my psychotherapy practice, particularly in trauma, inner child work, and helping clients reconnect with their authentic selves. I also work with couples, so if that’s part of your practice, I'd be happy to support you with that.

My Supervision Style

I've experienced a wide range of supervision styles. Some that made me feel small and others that inspired me to grow. That experience taught me the importance of creating a supervision relationship that feels safe, empowering, and aligned with your needs.

Key Areas of Expertise

• Trauma and PTSD (particularly in childhood, and including CSA)
• Inner child work
• OCD
• Neurodiversity
• Depression, anxiety, people pleasing
• Attachment styles
• Somatic work and nervous system regulation
• Reconnecting with authenticity
• Couples therapy

What I Offer

• 1:1 Supervision: Held online via Google Meet
• A Tailored Approach: Whether you’re looking for a reflective space, guidance, or practical tools, I’ll adapt to meet your needs.
• Fee: £130 for 1.5 hours (£85 per hour). 

Why Work with Me?

I’m passionate about this work and genuinely invested in helping therapists grow. I understand the highs and lows of the journey, whether you’re working through a challenging client situation or navigating professional doubts.

At the same time, I know how important it is to trust your instincts. I’ll encourage you to explore what feels right for you, while also sharing insights and techniques from my own practice and experience.

Let’s Get Started

If you’re curious about working with me, let’s have a chat! I offer a free 20-minute consultation so we can get to know each other and see if we’re the right match. Please email me at melissa@safegardentherapy.com

I look forward to hearing from you :)