Michael Ogden

I offer flexible daytime and evening appointments during the week for adults, children and young people.

Sometimes something doesn’t feel right, in yourself, your child, or your family, but it can be hard to explain why.

You might be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, low in mood, struggling with relationships, or simply feeling that something doesn’t feel quite right. Sometimes parents reach out because they are worried about changes in their child’s emotions or behaviour and want to better understand what may be sitting underneath it all.

I offer counselling for adults, and counselling with play and creative approaches for children and young people. Most people I work with say they don’t know where to begin, and that’s okay. Your story is your story. You only need to share what feels right, when it feels right.

Together, we work one step at a time, in a calm, grounded and confidential space where you can feel heard, understood and supported. Counselling is not about having all the answers straight away, but about taking time to explore what has been going on and beginning to make sense of difficult thoughts, feelings and experiences.

Alongside counselling, my experience across education, pastoral support and youth justice roles has shaped my understanding of behaviour, belonging and emotional safety.

For adults, counselling may involve anxiety, low mood, relationships, overwhelm, life changes or past experiences that continue to have an impact. For children and young people, play and creative approaches can offer a more natural way to express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words directly.

I believe counselling should feel personal, relational and without judgement. My role is not to tell you what to do, but to work alongside you as we begin making sense of things together.

If you feel ready, we can begin with a simple conversation together to see whether this feels like the right fit for you.

Reaching out can feel unfamiliar, especially when you are already carrying a lot. You do not need to have everything figured out before getting in touch. Most people I work with say they do not know where to begin, and that’s okay.

In our sessions, we take things one step at a time, at a pace that feels right for you. Your story is your story. You only need to share what feels right, when it feels right. Sometimes people come with something specific they want to talk about, while others simply know that something does not feel quite right.

Sessions last up to 60 minutes and are offered in person in Cawdor, near Inverness, or online across the UK. I offer a calm, grounded and confidential space where you can feel heard, understood and supported.

Together, we take time to explore what has been going on, helping make sense of difficult thoughts, feelings and experiences in a way that feels manageable and without judgement. Sometimes this may include exploring anxiety, overwhelm, low mood, relationships, life changes or experiences from the past that continue to have an impact in the present.

For children and young people, sessions may include play and creative approaches alongside talking. This can offer a more natural way to express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words directly, helping children and young people feel safer, more settled and understood.

My role is not to tell you what to do, but to work alongside you as we begin making sense of things together.

If you are considering counselling, you are welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation to see whether this feels like the right fit for you.

The first session is a chance for us to meet and begin getting a sense of whether working together feels right for you.

There is no expectation to share everything straight away. Your story is your story, and you only need to share what feels right, when it feels right.

We take things one step at a time, at a pace that feels manageable and supportive. Some people come with something specific they want to talk about, while others are less sure where to begin. Both are completely okay.

I will explain how I work, including confidentiality and its limits, and answer any questions you may have. This is also a chance for you to get a feel for the process and decide whether you would like to continue.

For children and young people, the first session may involve gently introducing the space and beginning to build trust, using play and creative approaches where appropriate.

Sessions are charged at the standard rate.