Michael Wilkes-Spellman , NCPS

Michael Wilkes-Spellman is an accredited member of the National Counselling Society, holding the NCPS credential which signifies recognised professional accreditation in counselling. He trained in 2011 and has continued to develop his skills across a range of wellbeing topics since completing his initial training. Working part time, he offers appointments on weekday evenings to fit around many clients' schedules.

He practices with an integrated approach, tailoring support to each person's needs while drawing principally on person-centred and cognitive behavioural methods. His work emphasises understanding an individual's unique experience of distress, exploring patterns that maintain difficulties, and where appropriate addressing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. Michael enjoys supporting adults, couples, and older adults through a wide variety of life challenges including relationship issues, grief, anxiety, trauma, career concerns, and changes associated with ageing and family transitions.

Known for a collaborative and adaptable style, he combines empathic listening with practical strategies to help clients make sense of their experiences and move toward clearer goals. His background in both person-centred and cognitive behavioural approaches allows him to respond flexibly to different presenting concerns while maintaining a focus on the client's priorities and pace.

Approaches and online therapy options for flexible care

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on treating each person as the expert on their own life, offering empathic listening and acceptance to help people explore feelings and values and build self-directed change. This approach is useful for individuals and couples facing relationship challenges, life transitions, grief, or the need for a supportive space to process difficult emotions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and test unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, and develop practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. It often includes goal-setting and skill building to address recurring patterns that interfere with daily life.

Mindfulness Therapy offers simple practices to increase present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity, supporting coping with stress, anxiety, and ongoing emotional distress. When appropriate, Michael integrates mindful techniques alongside person-centred and cognitive behavioural work to suit individual needs.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and will be decided collaboratively. The therapist works with clients to understand their goals, preferences, and practical circumstances, then adapts methods and pacing so the work feels useful and manageable.

Online therapy provides practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - allowing people to fit therapy around work, family, or mobility needs. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals and therapists from home or elsewhere, maintaining continuity of care while accommodating different communication preferences.