Melissa Canning

I offer flexible session options to suit your needs:

• In-Person Sessions: Available in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

• Online or Telephone Sessions: Available nationally across the UK.

If you are considering how counselling might help, or are ready to begin, please feel free to reach out. I am happy to answer any questions and guide you in taking the next step.

My endeavour as a counsellor is to deeply understand your experiences and help you take back control of your life so that you can move forward in your own time. I will listen and help you find your own way through. You know yourself best, but sometimes we all encounter periods were moving forward feels challenging. Together, we will gently explore what may be holding you back, develop greater self-awareness and self-compassion, and discover new ways of coping, relating, and moving forward.

My Experience 

I have experience supporting adults of all ages and backgrounds experiencing a range of emotional and mental health challenges, including:

• Anxiety, Depression, and Low Mood

• Grief, Loss, and Bereavement

• Relationship Issues and Breakdowns

• Low Confidence and Self-Esteem Issues

• Stress Management and Work-Related Issues

• Abuse and Unresolved Trauma

My Practice 

My practice is built on the belief that effective counselling is a personalised process. I integrate a range of therapeutic models to meet your unique needs and support your journey. My foundation is rooted in humanistic, non-directive therapies—such as Person-Centred, Gestalt, and Transactional Analysis. This approach emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and your inherent capacity for autonomy and personal growth. The goal is to help you uncover your strengths, enhance self-awareness, and make choices that truly reflect your values. I complement this with insights from Attachment Theory and Polyvagal Theory to ensure a complete mind-body perspective, supporting emotional processing alongside nervous system regulation.

Building a trusting relationship is fundamental to successful therapy. I offer a safe, non-judgemental, and confidential space where you can feel comfortable exploring your thoughts and feelings without reserve. I believe in a collaborative approach, working alongside you to understand your unique experiences and develop effective strategies for coping and well-being. Together, we can work towards:

• Increased self-awareness

• Gaining insight into patterns of behaviour

• Cultivating healthier coping mechanisms

• Developing a greater sense of personal strength and acceptance

Practical Details

I offer flexibility in how we work and for how long:

• Clients: I work with adults (18+) both in-person, online, and by telephone.

• Duration: I offer both short-term and open-ended (long-term) therapy, depending on your requirements and budget.

Professional Standards

Ethical practice and your safety are my priority:

• I am a BACP Registered Member and adhere strictly to their Ethical Framework.

• I hold a Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling, ensuring safe practice across all formats.

• I engage in regular clinical supervision and continuous professional development (CPD).

• For peace of mind, I am fully insured and hold a current DBS certificate.

I want you to feel comfortable and confident before beginning therapy. I offer a free 20- 30 minute introductory session offered via telephone or online. This allows us to get to know each other, explore your current circumstances, and see if I might be a good fit for your needs. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the counselling process and get a feel for how well we might work together. This initial session is free of charge and carries no obligation to continue.

If you decide you would like to work with me, our first full therapeutic session (50 minutes, online or in-person) will explore your hopes for counselling, present and past life circumstances in more detail. We will also cover the practical structure and expectations of the counselling relationship; what the service involves and what you can expect from me. We will then confirm the regularity of your sessions and agree on an initial idea of how long we might work together.

If you are considering starting your counselling journey, please feel free to reach out to schedule your free introduction.