A SAFE PLACE
MENTORING & COUNSELLING
Change starts with you.
About Michelle
Hello, I'm Michelle, and I bring a deep background in Social Work and children's mental health to the support I offer. I hold a BSc in Social Work and I'm proudly registered with Social Work England. My experience has been heavily focused on working with children and their families, with my approach built upon my professional tenure within CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). This work, alongside my past volunteer roles with the Samaritans and Portsmouth Rape Crisis, has given me a compassionate and trauma-informed approach.
While my professional history is deeply rooted in supporting children and families, the practical, evidence-based skills I use are universal. I extend this compassionate, solution-focused support to adults and individuals of all ages who are looking to manage difficult emotions and make positive changes in their lives, including those navigating neurodiversity such as ADHD and Autism. I firmly believe everyone deserves access to tools for emotional wellbeing.
Counselling & Mentoring Services
Decider Groups
This 8-week, evidence-based therapeutic program helps up to 10 young people master their mental health by teaching 12 practical Decider Life Skills. The course blends one-to-one support with group work, utilising Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) techniques to manage low mood and anxiety.
The Decider Skills model is recognized for its effectiveness, forming a core part of the therapeutic strategies used by many Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) teams. You can trust that the skills taught here are highly practical, proven, and incredibly valuable for lasting emotional control.
Neurodiverse Support
My support is built on the understanding that every neurodiverse individual is unique. I offer compassionate, flexible, one-to-one sessions designed to respect and work with your specific cognitive style, including those navigating Autism or ADHD.
Drawing from my professional experience and effective ways of working, we focus on developing clear coping strategies for anxiety, handling sensory sensitivities, and navigating social and emotional challenges. My goal is to provide a safe space and practical tools to help you feel more comfortable and confident every day.
Family Work & Couples Counselling
Family life can be complex, and shifts in dynamics often lead to challenges. My approach focuses on improving communication and finding solutions that work for the whole unit.
If you are struggling with family breakdowns or seeking to restore connection, or if you simply want a better relationship with your teenager, these sessions provide a safe, neutral space. Support is provided through a combination of one-to-one counselling or group sessions when the time is right for your family. We work together to explore underlying issues, improve understanding, and implement practical strategies to strengthen bonds and create a more harmonious home environment.
Private Counselling
My private one-to-one sessions offer confidential and safe space for focused, individualized counselling support. This work is ideal if you are seeking dedicated attention to specific personal challenges or need help navigating difficult life transitions.
My approach is practical and collaborative, utilizing the skills and professional framework honed over my extensive career, including my background in social work. We work together to explore the root causes of your distress, whether related to grief, relationships, trauma, or general emotional wellbeing and develop clear, tangible coping strategies that lead to lasting positive change. Support is available for adults and young people at my practice in Central Southsea.
Court Reports
As a qualified Social Worker, I provide independent, objective reports for family court proceedings concerning child custody, access arrangements, and parental alienation.
My comprehensive service includes crucial on-site work like home visits, attending contact centres, and visiting places of education to gain critical insight. Furthermore, I offer individual therapeutic support and regular reporting on engagement and progress when interventions (e.g., addiction-related challenges, anger response strategies) are directed by the court. All reports provide a child-centred analysis and professional recommendations regarding the child's best interests and welfare.
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