counselling

I offer Person Centred Counselling weekdays by appointment to Individuals, Couples, and for Adult Adoption Support.

Person Centred Counselling is an approach which empowers the client and allows them to determine the direction Counselling may go in so that they can address, process and resolve the issues they have brought to Counselling. I work with clients in an empathic way, seeking to understand their experience as fully as possible, both through what they tell me in sessions, but also through their body language and patterns of behaviour. I offer a safe, non-judgemental space in which to explore issues, and work with respect and consideration. I work with honesty, candour and aim to be as authentic as possible with all clients. A variety of Counselling tools are available depending on the needs and interests of each client, these can range from journal keeping, to visualisations, breathing practices, colour and image work, and role play, to name just a few.

I have completed several years of Counselling training with CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body.) In 2013 I completed their Introduction to Counselling course, in 2014 Counselling Theory and in 2017 I was awarded my Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I am now – remove a fully Registered and Accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).

An initial Assessment appointment is offered to meet and discuss what brings a client to Counselling and to look at what needs a client may have. Weekly, fortnightly or monthly sessions are then arranged and booked on a six-weekly basis, with a review at the end of the six weeks to look at whether the client feels they need further sessions or not. This six-weekly block allows time to look thoroughly at any issues the client has brought to Counselling, and to establish a secure therapeutic relationship to allow the work to take place.

Individual Counselling

I have experience of working with male and female replace with male, female and non-binary clients with the following issues:

Depression
Anxiety
Stress
Disordered Eating
Relationship Issues
Isolation

Alcohol Mis-use
Work Difficulties
Redundancy
HIV and Blood Borne Viruses
Sexuality
Voice Hearing

Self-harm
Attachment Issues
Mental Ill Health
Domestic Abuse
Sexual Abuse

Bereavement and Loss
Low Self-confidence
Fertility Issues
Menopause
Adult Adoption Support

Relationship Counselling

I have experience of working with Relationship Counselling in the following areas:

Communication
Understanding
Fertility Issues
Divorce
Emotional Processing

Intimacy Issues
Trust
Infidelity
Anxiety
Depression

Self-care
Grief
Protective Mechanisms
Rejection

Connection
Boundaries
Parenting
Family Issues

elephant family melissa lomas counselling

Relationship Counselling is offered to anyone experiencing issues within a relationship, whether that be a Couple, Siblings, Parent and adult Child, or Friends. All of our relationships can be complex and challenging at various points in our lives, and it can be incredibly valuable to make time and space to explore any issues in the neutral and non-judgmental environment of Counselling.

Adult Adoption Support Counselling

In 2023 I completed the Barnardo’s LINK Training with the Albany Centre in Adoption Support Counselling. This qualifies me to offer Adult Adoption Support to Adult Adoptees, Adoptive and Foster Parents, Special Guardians, Birth Parents and Extended Family members.

Adult Adoptees

The experience and impact of being adopted can vary enormously from individual to individual. Over the course of an adoptee’s life, the impact of their adoptive experience can also vary. The emotional and physical impact can be complex, subtle and multi-faceted and can reveal itself in many different areas, such as other relationships, self-care and work life. I can create a safe space in which to explore these issues, whether around the narrative experience of the adoptive process, or the continuing and shifting impact on other areas of life. Being able to explore these issues in a neutral and independent space can prove invaluable for adult adoptees, when support from other agencies and social services tends to drop away completely.

Adoptive Parents, Foster Parents, Special Guardians

Caring for children, whether through Adoption, Fostering or as a Special Guardian can be rewarding and inspiring, but also challenging and complex. Support for Adoptive and Foster Parents as well as Special Guardians provided by other agencies or Social Services tends to be offered only at the point of crisis. I can offer a neutral and independent space in which to unpack the experience of caring for children in this way. I can offer these sessions both to Individuals, and to Couples, as the impact can often be felt on the relationship as well as individually.

Birth Parents

I can offer sessions to Birth Parents who have given their baby or child up for Adoption, Fostering or to Special Guardians. There are a multitude of different reasons why this decision may be made, whether recently, or historically. The impact can be far reaching and deeply felt emotionally and physically. I create a safe, non-judgemental space in which to explore this experience with compassion and understanding.

Extended Family

Adopting, Fostering or acting as a Special Guardian for a baby, child or children can have a knock-on impact on the extended family. This may be grandparents, older siblings and aunties and uncles. Training for Adoption and Fostering is often limited to those directly involved, and any additional needs of these children, may be difficult for the extended family to understand or adapt to. Space in which to explore the complexity of this experience for extended family members can be very valuable for all involved.

The extended family of Birth parents may also be deeply impacted by a baby, child or children being given up for Adoption, Fostering or to a Special Guardian. I can offer space for extended family members to explore this complex experience and the ways in which it may impact.

Fertility Issues, Pregnancy and Infant Loss, and Rainbow Babies

At the Beginning of 2025 I completed training with the Foundation for Infant Loss on Fertility Issues, Pregnancy and Infant Loss, and Rainbow Babies.

foundation for infant loss training logos

Fertility Issues

Fertility Issues are intensely emotional and physical both for the Individual and the Couple. These issues can often be long-term and involve repeated experiences of grief and loss. There is still a great deal of stigma and silence around any Fertility Issues, so having a safe space to unpack these and explore them either as an Individual or as part of a Couple can be invaluable both in terms of addressing experiences in the past, the present, or fears, and grief around the future.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss

Pregnancy Loss whether as a miscarriage or a stillbirth is most parents worst nightmare. These losses are still surrounded by much stigma, silence and misunderstanding. The grief and loss are often hidden. Counselling sessions, whether as an Individual or as part of a Couple, provide a safe, compassionate and understanding space in which to explore this experience. Infant Loss, whether due to Sudden Infant Loss Syndrome, or other causes is also the stuff of nightmares. Parents and extended family members will be hugely impacted by this complex and far-reaching grief. The emotional and physical impact is immense and is also stigmatised, misunderstood and hidden. Counselling offers a space that is understanding, non-judgemental and compassionate to work through the varying emotional and physical impact of this experience.

Termination for medical and other reasons

Sometimes a Termination may be necessary for medical reasons. This may be because the Pregnancy isn’t viable and will not result in a healthy, living baby. It may also be because there is a significant risk to the health or life of the mother if she continues with the Pregnancy. In either case this news is devastating for the parents and their extended family. Counselling can offer a space in which to unpack the emotional complexities of this situation, such as shock and grief, as well as the physical experience and aftermath.

Sometimes a woman may decide to have a Termination for a wide variety of other reasons. These could range from poverty, to fear, to abuse, pressure or lack of support. Whatever the reason this is often an incredibly difficult decision to make, rather than a light choice. It is often accompanied by complex emotions such as grief, guilt and regret as well as a significant physical impact. Counselling offers a non-judgemental space in which to talk through this experience and the impact it can have whether it is recent event or historical.

Rainbow Babies

Pregnancy, birth and parenting following a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss is complex and often misunderstood. Massively increased anxiety, guilt, on-going grief and confusion are all common and understandable. Once again, the stigma and silence surrounding these experiences exacerbate the impact. Counselling gives the client time and space in which to explore and understand these reactions as they shift and change over the course of the Pregnancy, in the lead up to the birth, and in the experience of parenting. These sessions are offered both to Individuals and Couples.

Training & Qualifications

I am a Registered and Accredited member of BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). In 2023 I completed Barnardo’s LINK training with the Albany Centre in Adoption Support Counselling and in 2025 the Foundation for Infant Loss training in Fertility Issues, Pregnancy and Infant Loss and Rainbow Babies.

Counselling Sessions & Fees

I offer all sessions online via either Skype or Zoom. I have been working online both as a Counsellor and as a Yoga, Meditation and Chanting teacher for many years.

My long-term experience of offering a range of support online, means that I am able to create a safe, connected space where I can work as effectively with clients as working face to face. Working online also means that there are no geographical limitations to working together. I can offer sessions to clients from anywhere within the UK, as well as overseas.

Individual Assessment	50 mins	£35
Individual Counselling Appointments	50 mins	£45
Couples Counselling Assessment One appointment is required for each Individual to give enough time to take all the details needed.	2x 50 mins	2 x £35
Couples Counselling Appointments	50 mins	£65

Skype

Zoom

Discounts

I am able to offer a discount to Student Counsellors for Counselling Sessions that are a requirement of their Training. The Assessment appointment remains at £35 and Counselling Sessions are discounted to £35.

I am also able to offer a limited number of discounted appointments at the same rate of £35 where there is financial hardship. Please contact me to discuss details. Any discounts offered are on a discretionary basis following consultation.

Counselling Testimonials

‘I am very grateful to Melissa for her help in aiding my mental rehabilitation and would not hesitate to recommend her as an excellent counsellor.’

‘Melissa has innate emotional intelligence and compassion, together with a keen understanding and bright intellect: qualities she employs to good effect using her excellent counselling skills.’

‘I found Melissa’s approach professional and at the same time very caring. She quickly understood my issues and put me at ease.’

‘Melissa has been a huge help to me in recovering from a physical trauma, she listened carefully, and kept very accurate track of the progress of my physical and mental state. She made gentle observations pointing me towards helpful ways of thinking and acting.’

‘I have had the good fortune and privilege to work with Melissa, despite the fact that I have incurable cancer she consistently nurtures my personal growth and development and helps me to find joy in daily life.’

‘Melissa is a caring, compassionate and empathic person who can be trusted to deal professionally with a wide range of issues. I would recommend her without hesitation.’

‘I found Melissa’s approach professional and at the same time very caring, she quickly understood my issues and put me at ease.’

‘I cannot praise Melissa’s warmth, kindness and professionalism that she shows in her work enough. My Counselling sessions have been invaluable to my recovery from a period of deep anxiety.’

‘I found the whole experience of Counselling helpful, but if I had to highlight one thing, it would be the ideas that Melissa would give me to go home and think about before the next session – a sort of Counselling Homework, where I could put my thoughts and new ways of thinking into practice throughout the week.’

‘Melissa provided me with an environment which gave balance to some of my most troubling worries, a fresh perspective that allowed me to see the bigger picture.’

‘I found having help at unpicking situations and hearing them from different angles was really helpful for me. I also found having someone who listened and helped me understand specific situations and myself really valuable.’

‘I felt comfortable throughout the sessions, allowing me to open up about my problems. I also felt supported from start to finish, helping me overcome the difficulties I was facing.’

‘Melissa was totally professional, and I felt comfortable at all times. I was very pleased by the whole experience and the high quality of the Counselling. Most of all, it was effective – it made me a happier person.’

Find out more

I’d love to hear from you with any questions, feedback or comments. Please call, or email and I’ll be in touch with you soon.

07853 817888

info@melissalomas.co.uk