Michelle Lumley , BACP

Michelle Lumley recognises that looking for a counsellor can feel overwhelming, so she aims to present information in clear, bite-sized pieces to help people decide if she might be the right fit.

She is a qualified and registered BACP counsellor - BACP refers to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and maintains professional liability insurance while engaging in regular professional development workshops to keep her practice current.

Working in an integrative, humanistic way, she combines different therapeutic elements to suit each person's needs. Her practice emphasises building a trusted therapeutic relationship through attentive listening and curious, open questions, which can be especially helpful when someone senses discomfort but is unsure of its origin. She regularly reviews progress with clients to ensure the approach remains appropriate and collaborative.

Michelle has experience supporting people with anxiety, bereavement, depression, self-harm, sexual abuse and domestic abuse, and with issues such as ADHD, parenting, relationship and family difficulties, trauma, grief, eating and sleeping problems, anger, career concerns and coping with life changes. She is described as patient, kind and curious, and also offers creative ways of working using art materials and reflective writing to open alternative routes of expression.

She offers both online and face-to-face counselling to adults aged 18 and over, with online sessions available throughout the United Kingdom. Short-term or long-term work can be arranged depending on individual need, and flexible session times are available for those with changing shift patterns. An initial exploratory session is offered to discuss needs, complete necessary paperwork and agree a working plan within the BACP framework, with everything paced to suit the client.

Therapeutic approaches and accessible online support

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns in close connections. It helps people explore feelings around abandonment, trust and attachment so they can develop healthier ways of relating to others and to themselves.

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on a supportive, non-directive relationship in which the therapist offers empathy, acceptance and understanding. This approach can be useful for people seeking a compassionate space to clarify values, self-esteem concerns and life direction.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured approach that helps people identify and gently challenge unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression and stress-related difficulties and offers practical strategies to manage symptoms and build coping skills.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Michelle will work together with each person to explore needs, goals and preferences, adapting methods from different therapies to find what fits best for the individual.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people with busy lives or mobility constraints. Through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, licensed professionals can provide consistent support across distance, making it easier to schedule sessions around work, family or other commitments while maintaining continuity of care.