About Me | Online Counsellor in West London

Hi, my name is Michael.

I am a qualified, integrative therapeutic counsellor based in Richmond, Oxford, Cheltenham and online.

Experience

I have experience working in a range of mental health and support-role settings since 2013. This includes mental health, bereavement and counselling charities and in education, supporting young people with special education needs and disabilities.

I have worked with a diverse range of clients from different ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. I have experience working with many different challenges people have and still face in their lives including bereavement (as well as pets), terminal illness, suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance misuse, victims of crime, trauma & PTSD symptoms.

In addition to private practice, I work part-time as a counsellor for a counselling agency and for a bereavement charity, offering support to clients experiencing grief, bereavement and loss.

What got me into therapy work?

As I’ve personally experienced therapy for myself, I’ve been where you might be now, wanting to talk to someone about what’s on your mind, so I understand that this can feel daunting at times.

What drew me to counselling training, was the benefits it brings people and I have witnessed this positive change in my own clients. As such, I believe in the benefits it can bring people, so am naturally very committed to the profession.

Still, I never intended to go as far as I did in counselling / therapy training, but it just took on a life of its own. After my initial 4 years of core training and becoming a qualified therapeutic counsellor, this has become my life now and I really love what I do.

Qualifications & Training

Level 5 Diploma in Somatic Trauma Therapy (CPCAB)
Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills & Theory (CPCAB)
Level 4 Diploma in (Integrative) Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CPCAB)
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CPCAB)
Level 2 Certificate in Bereavement Support

I am always looking to expand my knowledge, tools and skills, to offer more choices and greater support to my clients. A such, I am currently undertaking further training for a Level 5 Diploma in in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (NCFE).

For more information about the professionalism you can expect, please click here to read Why should I choose you as my therapist?

Why the name – ‘Hope and Harmony Therapy’?

The inspiration behind the name, ‘Hope and Harmony Therapy’, reflects much of who I am, my life experiences and the work I do as a therapist.

Hope – finding the strength to keep going and a way through your struggles. To rekindle that sense of purpose to discover the answers you’re looking for. That you have someone to walk alongside you on this journey.

Harmony – finding balance and harmony amidst the chaos of life. To feel comfortable, content and enough as/where you are now, while still free to follow your heart and reach your peak/full potential, if you so desire.

Therapy – reflects the broader skills and training I’ve undertaken and continue to explore – offering greater choices and more ways to support your needs.

Who I am – “ Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching” (C. S. Lewis). Similarly, yet closer to who I am, I believe that ‘Heaven is always watching’. As such, whenever I experience my clients open-up and allowing themselves to become vulnerable, sharing some of their deepest self, I witness this as a treasured gift – a ‘gift of trust’. This is sacred to me and one that I hold with honour, affection and integrity, and I am truly grateful to share in such an experience.

Therefore, creating ‘Hope and Harmony Therapy’ felt like a natural way to draw together much of who I am, what I now love to do and the experiences I’ve witnessed as a therapist. This allows me the freedom to express my passion with purpose, devotion and loyalty – in the support I can offer and the work I do.