Melanie Nicholson

About

Welcome

I offer counselling and psychotherapy for individuals from my consulting room in Central Watford.

Therapy is a unique and individual experience and one that will vary immensely from person to person, and taking the first steps in this process may feel quite daunting. The process of therapy can help you manage and understand your feelings better, and it can be an opportunity to reflect on, and talk about issues that you may have never spoken to anybody about before. Within this framework it can be a path towards living in a more satisfying and fulfilling way.

My Qualifications and Experience

I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP Registration Number 086059) and adhere to their Ethical Framework for Good Practice which is available here.

I have a BACP accredited Post Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Hertfordshire. I have regular supervision with an experienced clinical supervisor and undertake regular professional development opportunities via workshops, lectures and training courses.
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I have extensive experience working with a diverse range of clients across age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality and disability. In addition to my private practice, I have worked with Watford Women’s Centre Counselling Service and most recently with Hertfordshire Signpost Counselling for young people and adolescents.

What To Expect

What will happen at the first session?

Making the decision to enter therapy and choosing the right therapist is never easy. I believe that you can only decide if someone is the right therapist for you by meeting with them face to face. I therefore offer an initial consultation in which I can explain how I work and you will have the chance to ask any questions you may have. This can either be face to face or on the telephone if you prefer.

There is no fee for this first meeting, and we can decide together whether the type of counselling I offer feels right for you and is likely to help you.

You may not feel ready to decide whether to start counselling with me during this session and you may need time to think about it.

What can you expect from me?

I offer a non-judgemental and safe space within which I hope to support you in developing your understanding of yourself and of your relationships to other people in your life.

My approach draws on an understanding that difficult experiences from our past can continue to affect the way we feel and behave in the present - that our earliest experiences and relationships can shape our current ways of relating and our responses to life’s challenges in the present. This approach could be thought of as a psychodynamic way of working, although I also draw on ideas from other schools of thought such as person centred and relational types of therapy.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a very important part of the counselling process as it allows you a privacy and sense of safety. However there maybe some circumstances where I feel concerned about your safety or the safety of others, and in this case I would liaise with other appropriate professionals in order to best support you. This is something we would discuss together beforehand.

Fees & Sessions

Sessions last for 50 minutes, and normally occur weekly at the same time and day.

Initial Session

There is no charge for an initial session which can be either face to face or by telephone.

Ongoing Therapy

Ongoing therapy fees will be charged at £60 per session.

Cancellations

Cancellations with less than twenty-four hours notice, or failure to attend a session, will incur the full fee. I will give you as much notice as possible if I am unavailable.

Length of Therapy

The length of therapy is not fixed. It will vary from individual to individual, and is something that can be thought about between us. Importantly, you are free to end at any time and there will be no pressure on you to continue counselling against your wishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy provides you with a safe space within a formal and professional relationship to express and explore feelings and emotions that you may find painful or overwhelming. By exploring ideas together within this collaborative framework, we may begin to identify recurring patterns in the way you react to situations and relationship pressures. This process may give you a greater capacity for self-awareness and greater choice to lead a more satisfying and fulfilling life.

What’s the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy and counselling share much in common, however counselling tends to be shorter term and is more focussed on a specific issue or immediate crisis. Psychotherapy is usually a longer process, taking a more in depth approach which seeks to facilitate change at a more fundamental emotional level within the whole of the person.

Why do people go to see a Therapist or Counsellor?

People come to therapy and counselling for a range of different reasons. They might come seeking help for a specific problem such as a bereavement or loss, relational difficulties, anxiety or depression, or they might be seeking help for a more general sense of unease or loss of meaning in their life. It is very different from the support one might receive from close family and friends. While this support can be very important, the formality of the counselling relationship allows you to explore issues without the basic assumptions that others may have of you within your social or familial framework.

How long would you normally see a Therapist for?

I offer both short term and longer term therapy, and the length of therapy or counselling would be something that we would be able to explore both in the initial assessment session and as our work together unfolds. It will depend on your needs and concerns, and so isn’t possible to predict.

How long is each session?

Regular sessions are 50 minutes in length, and are held at the same weekly time. Details about this are discussed in your initial consultation.

Do you have a waiting area?

I do not have a waiting area so clients need to arrive at their appointed time.

What happens if I have to miss a session?

If you are attending ongoing therapy and need to cancel a session, you will need to let me know as early as possible. There may be the possibility of rearranging it. Any missed sessions or cancellations with less than twenty four hours notice will need to be paid in full.

Counselling & Psychotherapy