Welcome! You may have found your way to this page for many reasons, that could be looking for help for yourself, a child or a friend. Whatever the reason, it is fantastic as you are proactively seeking support and identifying that you want to grow in your life emotionally.

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About Melanie

Melanie is registered with the Health and Care Practitioners Council, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and is a member of the British Association of Art Therapists.

She has also been awarded a doctorate exploring creative interventions specifically animation as therapy. Melanie has experience in art psychotherapy practice as well as counselling and health and wellbeing interventions. During assessment, she has achieved the highest award of ‘excellence’ in every clinical work place aligned with HCPC requirements, demonstrating an excellent meeting of the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance, Ethics and Standards of Proficiency. She is able to carry out high quality assessments based on a needs led approach to service provision, undertake risk assessments and work within the confines of professional confidentiality, establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries, whilst providing a flexible and responsive service.

 

Melanie offers an integrative approach specialising in talking therapy and art therapy. As well as being psychodynamically trained, she is also trained in person centred therapy which means each session will be targeted to support you as a unique and individual person. 

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Melanie's approach is underpinned by providing a safe, confidential environment that allows and supports growth and change. She is a published researcher which enhances her practice and the experience for the client. Melanie can provide a range of interventions to various clients including adults, children and young people. She works in private practice as well as for large national agencies therefore providing support to individuals and organisations alike.

She is award winning. Her work has been published and exhibited internationally and was celebrated by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace to mark those who have made a significant contribution to national life. She won 'the NHS innovation award', has been commended by the Duke of Gloucester and Baroness Morris of Yardley, awarded a Community Fellowship, a Research Beacon and has been named in the Marquis Who’s who in the world “recognising the global impact of her work”. In 2015 she won the Enterprise Award for social and cultural impact.

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Area of Practice Detail

Charity; Charitable Organisations; Social Enterprise, Community and Voluntary, Education (Primary, Secondary, Further Education, Higher Education, SEN Provisions); Community Service; Counselling Service; Private and National Health Service; Social Services; Independent Sector; National Probation Service; Adoption and Fostering.

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Area of Employment Detail

Special Educational Needs/Learning Disabilities; Mental Health; Carer support; Adoption and Fostering; Probationary Services; Relationships, Trauma; Autism; Counselling; Disabilities; Grief and Loss; Transgender; Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migration; Substance abuse; Anxiety and Depression; Abuse; Neglect; Early years trauma;Training. Client Group Adults; Adolescents; Children and Young people; Elderly; Family; Infants.

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What is Therapy

There are different types of therapy; talking therapies, creative therapies etc. Some are regulated and require qualifications at a certain level and some do not. It is important to make sure you know that your therapist is qualified and registered with a recognised body. Therapy can help all sorts of people in lots of different situations for lots of different reasons including physical, emotional, behavioural, educational. You may also hear some therapists referred to as counsellors, therapists or psychotherapists.

Therapy is for anyone who's going through a bad time or has emotional problems they need help with.

For many people it may be the same or more effective than medication.

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What is Art Therapy

Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses a mix of talking and art making.

You do not need to be good at art to use art therapy. Art Therapy is not an art class and the aim is not to increase your art skills or make finished pieces of art for exhibiting.

You may talk with your art therapist about your personal problems, your artwork and your feelings and thoughts. The aim is for you and your therapist to work together, using the art you make to think about what is happening for you personally. Sometimes this can be very moving, or even upsetting for a while.

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Art therapy is a statutorily regulated profession and in the United Kingdom only those persons who are appropriately qualified and registered by the Health and Care Professions Council (‘HCPC’) may legally describe themselves as art therapists or art psychotherapists. Melanie has received extensive training in working with people who have problems and are in distress. She is fully insured and has an extended DBS.​