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I am currently available to take on new clients.

I'm Michael, a BACP-registered Person-Centred counsellor. Alongside my private practice, I have extensive experience providing therapeutic support within schools and working with adults, children and families experiencing difficult and complex circumstances.

For me, one of the most important parts of counselling is humanity. I'm not here to judge you, analyse everything you say or tell you how you should live your life. I'm here to offer a genuine, supportive relationship where you have the time and space to explore whatever is happening for you.

I work from a Person-Centred approach, which means our sessions are led by you and what feels important to you. You decide what we explore, the direction we take and the pace at which we go.

You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about. Many people worry that they won't know where to begin, will say the wrong thing, or that their problems aren't "bad enough" for counselling.

You don't need to prepare anything. We can simply start where you are.

Sometimes people come to counselling feeling anxious, overwhelmed or stuck. Sometimes something significant has happened. And sometimes life looks perfectly fine from the outside, but inside they know they're struggling or don't quite feel like themselves anymore.

My role is to be alongside you. I'll listen carefully and help you explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences, developing a greater understanding of yourself and what you need moving forward.

There may be things you've never spoken about before, things you find difficult to put into words, or things you're simply not ready to explore. There is no pressure. We go at a pace that feels right for you.

You don't need to worry about saying the wrong thing, burdening me or pretending that everything is fine. You can simply arrive as you are.

I offer both short and long term counselling, with face-to-face sessions in Sittingbourne, Kent, as well as online counselling across the UK.

Taking the first step towards counselling can sometimes feel daunting, particularly if you've never experienced therapy before. I try to make that first step as straightforward and comfortable as possible.

I offer face-to-face counselling from my practice in Sittingbourne, Kent, as well as online counselling for clients across the UK.

Before beginning counselling, we can have an initial conversation about what has brought you here, what you're looking for and any questions or concerns you might have. It also gives you the opportunity to get a sense of me and decide whether you feel comfortable working together.

There is no expectation that you arrive at your first session knowing exactly what you want to talk about. You don't need to prepare anything or have everything worked out beforehand. We start wherever you are.

Sessions provide a confidential, non-judgemental space where you can talk openly and at your own pace. As a Person-Centred counsellor, I won't give you instructions or tell you how you should live your life. Instead, we'll explore what's happening together, helping you develop a greater understanding of yourself, your experiences and what you might need moving forward.

I work with adults, children and young people and offer both short and longer-term counselling depending on your individual needs.

My experience includes working with anxiety, depression and low mood, bereavement and loss, trauma, domestic abuse, low self-esteem, anger, relationship difficulties, ADHD, autism and significant life changes.

I also offer hypnotherapy, either as a standalone therapy or, where appropriate and something you feel comfortable with, alongside our counselling work.

Above all, my aim is to provide somewhere you can be yourself. You don't have to have the right words, put on a brave face or worry about being judged.

If you're considering counselling and aren't sure whether I'm the right person for you, you're welcome to get in touch and we can start with a conversation.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to meet, talk about what has brought you to counselling and begin getting to know each other.

I understand that starting counselling can feel daunting, particularly if you've never experienced it before. There is no expectation that you arrive knowing exactly what you want to say, and you don't need to prepare anything beforehand.

We'll talk through how counselling works, what you can expect from me and any questions or concerns you might have. I'll also explain confidentiality and the practical side of working together.

You can tell me as much or as little about what's brought you to counselling as feels comfortable. There is no pressure to tell me your whole story in the first session.

Most importantly, the first session gives you the opportunity to experience what it feels like to talk with me and decide whether you feel comfortable continuing.

Finding the right counsellor matters. There is no obligation to continue if you feel that I'm not the right fit for you.

If we decide to work together, we'll simply continue from there, at your pace and in a direction that feels right for you.