Michelle O'Neill

Work days: Monday to Friday 

I do not work on UK bank holidays. I also take two weeks scheduled breaks in April, August and December.

Challenging situations in life can leave us feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed or alone. Seeking support can provide a safe and confidential space to explore what you are experiencing, develop greater self-understanding and work towards meaningful change.

I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

I am based in Maidstone, Kent, and work with a diverse range of clients, as well as students, supervisors and individuals who are curious and committed to their personal and professional growth and development.

My foundation training is in psychodynamic psychotherapy, which explores unconscious processes and considers how our past experiences can influence our present thoughts, feelings, relationships and behaviours, as well as how these experiences may shape our future.

Over the years, I have expanded my training and experience to include Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Integrative Therapy. As a result, my approach is now integrative, allowing me to draw on different therapeutic models and tailor my work to the individual needs and circumstances of each client.

I am experienced and passionate about my roles as a therapist, supervisor and mentor. I work with a wide range of issues and experiences, including fertility, related difficulties, anxiety, stress, panic attacks, PTSD, phobias, depression, work-related concerns, childhood experiences, identity issues and behavioural difficulties.

My aim is to offer a supportive, respectful and non-judgemental space where you can explore your experiences at your own pace and develop a deeper understanding of yourself and the changes you may wish to make.

Journey into Therapy

I offer therapy sessions online or in person. You are also welcome to arrange a free 15-minute telephone consultation. If, together, we feel that therapy may be suitable for you, we can then arrange an assessment session.

The assessment session provides a safe and supportive opportunity to explore your concerns in greater depth and consider how I may be able to support you. We may talk about:

- Your current concerns

- Your personal history and family background

- Your friendships and relationships

- Your interests and sources of support

- Your childhood experiences

- Your hopes and goals for therapy

My approach includes exploring unconscious processes and considering how these may influence your thoughts, feelings, relationships and behaviours. We will work at a pace that feels appropriate for you, within a professional and confidential therapeutic relationship.

Each session lasts 50 minutes and begins promptly at the agreed time.

During the assessment session, we will discuss your options and consider how you would like to proceed. If you choose to continue, I offer an initial block of six sessions, with a review taking place during the fourth session.

At the end of the six sessions, you may choose to conclude therapy or continue with open-ended therapy. Open-ended therapy allows us to review your progress together and decide collaboratively when you feel ready to finish.

Ending therapy is an important part of the therapeutic process. A minimum of two weeks’ notice is required, allowing us time to work towards an appropriate and meaningful ending.

To begin therapy, I will require the following information:

- Full name

- Date of birth

- Address and telephone number

- GP’s name, address and telephone number

- Emergency contact’s name and telephone number  

Work days:

Monday to Friday, 9:00 am–7:00 pm.

I do not work on UK bank holidays. I also take scheduled breaks in December, April and August.

As a supervisor, I am guided by my psychodynamic perspective. I believe that creating a safe, supportive and contained framework allows creativity, curiosity and playfulness to emerge within the supervisory relationship.

I have completed training in Integrative Supervision, which enables me to draw on both psychodynamic and integrative approaches. This allows me to enrich the supervisory experience and tailor my work to meet each supervisee’s individual needs, level of experience and professional development.

I currently work with individuals and groups, supporting both trainee and experienced counsellors.

When you contact me, I will arrange a brief telephone consultation to discuss your supervision needs and determine whether I can support you.

If we decide to work together, we will agree the practical arrangements and complete a supervision contract.

The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and for me to understand your experiences, needs and goals. Together, we can explore what you would like support with, recognise your strengths and any challenges you may be facing, and begin to build a trusting and supportive supervisory relationship.