Melanie O'Brien , BACP

Melanie O'Brien is a qualified integrative counsellor who creates a warm, respectful and grounded space for people to explore what matters most to them. She recognises how difficult it can be to reach out for support when life feels overwhelming, stuck, or when a person feels disconnected from themselves. Whether someone is dealing with anxiety, low mood, grief, trauma, relationship strains or issues with self-esteem, Melanie offers a calm and compassionate environment to begin untangling those experiences and to reduce feelings of isolation.

Her training is rooted in person-centred counselling, which places emphasis on building a trusting therapeutic relationship where clients can feel accepted and understood. She also integrates approaches such as counselling for depression (CFD) and elements of cognitive behavioural therapy, adapting her work to fit the pace and needs of each person. Over five years of practice have given her experience with a wide range of issues and life stages, and she brings both professional skill and a deep respect for the courage it takes to face painful material.

Melanie’s manner is gentle yet honest; she works alongside people without judgement and offers reflections and insights when they feel helpful. She welcomes those who do not have everything figured out and is willing to support the process of exploring what has been holding them back.

Person-Centred Care and Online Support

Melanie primarily practices from a client-centred perspective, which focuses on creating a trusting, non-judgemental relationship where the client’s own goals and experiences guide the work. This approach is helpful for people wanting to explore identity, relationships, self-esteem and emotional blockages in a supportive environment.

Alongside this, Melanie takes an integrative stance, drawing on counselling for depression and elements of cognitive behavioural work when helpful. That means she combines reflective listening and empathy with practical strategies to manage difficult thoughts or behaviours, tailoring the approach to the issue at hand such as anxiety, depression, or coping with loss.

Choosing the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Melanie works with each person to identify what feels most useful and adjusts methods to match individual needs, goals and preferences. This shared decision making helps ensure therapy fits the client rather than forcing a single model.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, allowing people to access support from home or while managing busy schedules. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit therapy into daily life and access support even when in-person meetings are not possible.