I am Michelle, a qualified Person-Centred Counsellor based at The Listening Lounge in Derby, dedicated to providing a safe, confidential and welcoming space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings.
About Me
My Journey into Counselling
Hello, I’m Michelle, a qualified Person-Centred Counsellor dedicated to supporting adults as they navigate life’s challenges at The Listening Lounge in Derby.
It has been my sincere hope to help people find clarity and peace, and I am passionate about creating a safe, confidential, and judgement-free space where you can feel comfortable and genuinely understood.
My core qualification is the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, and I approach therapy with deep respect for your unique experiences and inner wisdom.
I am also a featured author for The Relationship Magazine, a monthly e-magazine dedicated to good mental health.
What to Expect from Working with Me
A Judgement-Free Space
I offer a warm and empathetic environment. You can be completely honest about your struggles without worrying about what I will think.
Tailored to You
I use an integrative approach, which means I adapt the therapy to suit your unique needs, rather than expecting you to fit into a rigid box.
Ethical and Safe
I work within professional and ethical boundaries, helping you feel secure throughout your counselling journey.
Understanding Your Experience
Sometimes we get stuck in repeating patterns that used to protect us but now just hold us back. Together, we can look at how your past experiences and early relationships might be affecting how you feel today.
I will not just sit in silence. I work collaboratively with you, offering gentle challenges when it is helpful, to help you build self-awareness and make your own choices.
My Core Values
Unconditional Positive Regard
I offer a space where you are accepted fully, without condition or judgement, allowing you to explore your thoughts and feelings openly and honestly.
Empathy & Understanding
I strive to understand your world from your own frame of reference, providing genuine empathy as we explore your experiences together.
Supporting Personal Growth
I believe you are the expert on your own life and support you in developing greater self-understanding, resilience and confidence as you move forward.
What Truly Motivates Me
My work as a therapist at The Listening Lounge is driven by a deep, genuine desire to help others find clarity. I find immense fulfilment in the privilege of witnessing an individual’s journey: seeing clients overcome challenges, gain profound self-awareness, and achieve tangible improvements in their mental well-being.
My passion is rooted in creating the safe, non-judgemental environment needed for this exploration. I truly believe in your inherent capacity for personal growth. There is deep satisfaction in empowering clients to unlock their inner strength and move toward a more fulfilling life. The diverse human experiences I encounter are both challenging and profoundly rewarding, and I feel honoured to contribute to positive change in the lives of adults in the Derby area.
I am now a qualified Aphantasia therapist and work with people who experience thoughts, emotions, memory, or internal processing differently. Aphantasia, SDAM, anauralia, anendophasia, and alexithymia can shape how we experience emotions, identity, relationships, and connection to ourselves. Many people have spent years feeling misunderstood or “different” without having language for their experience. Therapy can offer a safe space to explore this with greater understanding, self-compassion, and support.
Ready to take the next step?
If you are considering counselling in Derby and would like to talk through what you are looking for, please get in touch. I offer private counselling and therapy for adults, with face-to-face and online sessions available.