‘Now I understand that there are two melodies playing, one below the other, one easier to hear, the other lower, steady, perhaps more faithful for being less heard yet always present.’

- Anne Lighthart

Holistic Counsellor

Hi, I am Melissa and I offer holistic counselling from a private and cosy room on the edge of the Peak District National Park in Marsden or we can connect online or outside in nature. My practice is based on the values of kindness, safety, integrity, co-creation and holism. I believe that when we feel safe and held in relationship we can start to develop and listen to our felt-sense and intuition to source meaning, growth and fulfilment in our lives.

I offer 1-1 therapies and hold several wellbeing groups in the community including authentic movement, breathwork, nature connection and inner child bonding. All my offerings are underpinned with heart and a solid foundation in therapeutic theory and trauma awareness. I have further training in trauma informed care, psychoeducation, yoga, shamanism, breathwork and reiki and over 12 years experience of working alongside others on their healing journey as a Social Worker, Mental Health Advocate and Counsellor.

I have traversed the journey of self-discovery deeply for many years. My continued personal practices of movement, nature connection, journaling, personal counselling and ritual support my ongoing discovery. I regularly attend trainings, retreats and supervision to ensure that I am able to show up and walk alongside you on your journey.

In my spare time I love sitting round the fire with the moon, planting seeds, drinking herbal tea, wild swimming, walking in the rain, yoga and pottery. I am a lover of rose, nettle, starling and the honeybee.

Qualifications

MSc Counselling & Psychotherapy (Contemporary Creative Approaches)

CPCAB Level 2 Award Breathwork Coaching (Trauma-informed)

BA (Hons) Social Work

Trainings:

Carolyn Spring - Working with Trauma

Carolyn Spring - Trauma & the Body (ongoing)

Deb Dana - The Power of Polyvagal (12 month journey - ongoing)

Introduction to Intuitive Herbalism

Counselling Online (Open University)

Internal Family Systems Workshop

Indian Head Massage

NeuroAffective Touch®