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Michael Wilkes-Spellman, NCPS

Based in the UK Online sessions

Experienced counsellor for relationship and identity concerns

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About

About Michael

Michael Wilkes-Spellman is a counsellor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, relationship problems, grief, and issues around intimacy. He also supports people facing career strain, compassion fatigue, trauma, and changes in life circumstances. Michael is an accredited member of the National Counselling Society, and he works part time offering appointments on weekday evenings.

He trained in 2011 and has practised for 13 years. His work uses an integrated style that adapts to each person.

Background and approach

Michael draws mainly on person-centred methods and cognitive behavioural ideas to shape sessions around what the client needs. In practical terms he focuses on understanding how someone experiences distress. He helps people spot patterns that keep problems going and, where helpful, tries out different ways of responding.

That can include looking at thoughts, behaviours and emotional responses in everyday life. Michael works with adults, couples and older adults on many life challenges. He is comfortable supporting LGBT concerns among other relationship and identity issues.

He aims to make sessions straightforward and goal-focused when that suits the person. Sessions are collaborative and paced to the individual. Michael uses listening, reflection and practical strategies drawn from cognitive behavioural and mindfulness approaches.

He continues to update his skills in wellbeing topics to keep his practice current.

Focus areas and approaches

What Michael works with

Everything Michael lists, in their own terms. LGBT is the reason Michael is listed here; the rest shows what else Michael works with.

Approaches Michael lists

Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor names and does not check training records.

Online support

How Michael uses approaches online and in sessions

Client-Centred Therapy puts the person at the heart of the work. It involves attentive listening, reflecting back what someone says and helping them find their own answers. This approach is useful for people wanting acceptance and a steady space to talk through identity, relationship or life-stage concerns.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It helps people spot unhelpful patterns and try practical experiments to change them. CBT is often used for anxiety, low mood and managing stress in everyday situations.

Michael treats finding the right approach as a collaborative process. He will discuss goals, try out methods and adjust the plan based on what helps most. Clients and the therapist decide together which techniques suit the situation and preferences.

If you are considering online sessions, please confirm the current session options before booking as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets someone continue a course of sessions when life events make in-person meetings harder. Registered or accredited professionals can adapt listening, reflective work and CBT exercises to an online setting so progress can continue between appointments.
Questions

Questions people ask about Michael

What concerns does Michael commonly help with?

He supports people with stress, anxiety, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, trauma, anger, career worries, depression and coping with life changes. His wider focus includes compassion fatigue, family and identity-related concerns such as LGBT matters.

What is his therapeutic style like?

He uses an integrated, person-centred approach that adapts to each person. Sessions often combine listening with practical strategies from cognitive behavioural and mindfulness ideas.

How long has he been practising?

He completed his counselling training in 2011 and has around 13 years of experience. He continues to update his skills in various wellbeing topics.

Where is he based and what credential does he hold?

He works in the United Kingdom and is an accredited member of the National Counselling Society, shown as NCPS.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the UK work with him?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I begin if I want to work with him?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

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