Michelle Emsley, BACP

Michelle Emsley works with adults who are facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, depression and big life changes. She writes plainly and listens closely, helping people talk through what is most pressing and find clearer ways to cope.

Michelle has seven years of practice in the United Kingdom and holds BACP accreditation, which she uses as a framework for ethical professional work. She believes clients are the experts on their own lives and looks for individual strengths to build on during sessions. The first meeting is kept simple and practical to help people feel more at ease.

Her main ways of working include person-centred listening, where the therapist follows the client’s lead and focuses on what matters now. She also uses cognitive behavioural techniques to notice unhelpful thoughts and test out different behaviours. This mix helps people break cycles that interfere with daily life and mood.

Michelle is familiar with a wide range of concerns beyond the main areas, including abandonment, caregiver stress, chronic illness and ageing and geriatric issues, blended family matters, body image and issues linked to cancer. She aims to tailor each counselling plan to the person in front of her rather than applying a fixed approach.

Sessions are collaborative and paced to suit individual needs. Michelle invites anyone curious about therapy to begin with a short matching questionnaire and then book a first session when they feel ready.

Approaches that shape online sessions

Michelle often draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people name what matters to them and take small steps toward those values, which can be useful for stress, grief and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions link together and helps people test new, more helpful ways of thinking and behaving.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Michelle will work with each person to identify which methods fit their goals and preferences. This is collaborative - she listens, suggests options and adjusts the plan as progress is made.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session formats available before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They can also suit people who prefer to speak from a familiar spot or who need to manage energy levels around health or caregiving commitments. Discuss practical arrangements with the therapist when you book so sessions match your daily life and needs.