A little bit about me…

Hello, I'm Michaela (she/her). I am a qualified and experienced counsellor, counselling educator, and founder of Camellia Counselling.

My journey into counselling began after a long and rewarding career in education. In 2014, I enrolled on a counselling skills course to enhance my work as an educator. What I expected to be a useful professional development opportunity became a life-changing experience, inspiring me to pursue a new and deeply fulfilling career in counselling and wellbeing work.

Since then, I have worked with a variety of charities, schools, and individuals, built a thriving private practice and supported clients from diverse backgrounds. I also continue to work within education, providing mental health mentoring, and disability and wellbeing support to students, helping them navigate the challenges of university life while achieving their personal and academic goals.

Outside of work, I enjoy theatre and live music, long walks with my little dog, and curling up somewhere quiet with a blanket and a good book.

How I work

I am an integrative counsellor, and this means that I have trained in a range of different therapeutic approaches. This allows me to work flexibly in a way that you feel works best for you.  I put your unique personality, experiences, beliefs, feelings and circumstances at the heart of your counselling and we can adapt the approach if your needs change during the course of your therapy.  My work is trauma-informed, meaning that I recognise and respond to the impact that trauma may have had and I always work to create a trusting, respectful and genuine relationship to help you feel safe and empowered. So, if you’re the type of person who prefers a person-centred, holistic and flexible approach, whether it’s for short term counselling relating to a specific issue, or longer-term support, integrative counselling might be a good fit for you. Please do get in touch if you would like to know more.    

Keeping you safe

In the United Kingdom, counsellors can choose to join a professional organisation.  To join these organisations, we have to meet high standards of knowledge, along with holding recognised qualifications and committing to ongoing training.  If you choose a counsellor who is registered with a professional organisation, it can give you confidence that they have the necessary qualifications and experience to work with you.  I am registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and follow their code of ethics. This helps me to provide a safe and ethical therapeutic environment for my clients. I am also fully insured for extra peace of mind.

Qualifications and training

  • Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Person Centred)

  • Practitioner Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling

  • Masters degree in Education

  • TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism

  • Assessment, Risk Assessment and Intervention in Crisis Situations

  • Suicide Awareness training

  • Understanding and Managing Lonliness

  • Menopause and Depression training

  • Overcoming Burnout

  • Neurodiversity and Mindfulness: Making Mindfulness Accessible To All

  • Me, Myself and I - Inner Child training

  • Introduction to Creative Therapies

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) training

  • Working with Two Chair Technique

  • Treating Trauma with Internal Family Systems Therapy: Step-by-step procedures for healing trauma, anxiety, depression and more