Private Counsellor in Warrington, Cheshire
Person-centred counselling in person, online, home visits or by phone. Free initial consultation.
Welcome I'm Michael
Thank you for taking the time to visit my website.
Taking the first step towards counselling isn't always easy. You may have been thinking about getting support for some time, or perhaps something has happened recently that has left you feeling uncertain about what to do next.
Whatever has brought you here, you don't have to have everything figured out before you make contact.
I offer a warm, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about what's happening in your life, at your own pace, without feeling that you have to have all the answers.
My aim is to help you feel heard and understood, develop a greater understanding of yourself and your experiences, and explore ways of moving forward that feel right for you.
If you're wondering whether counselling could help, you're welcome to get in touch for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
How I can help
I work with adults experiencing a range of difficulties and life challenges, including:
- Anxiety and social anxiety
- Depression and low mood
- Stress and burnout
- Low confidence and self-esteem
- Health anxiety
- Family and relationship difficulties
- Grief and loss
- Work-related difficulties
- Communication challenges
- Difficult life changes and transitions
- Feeling lost, stuck or overwhelmed
You don't necessarily need to have a diagnosis or be able to put a name to what you're experiencing. Sometimes you simply know that things don't feel right and you'd like some support in understanding why.
If you're unsure whether counselling is appropriate for what you're going through, please feel free to contact me and we can talk about it.
What to expect from Counselling
If you've never had counselling before, you may feel nervous or unsure about what will happen. That's completely understandable.
Our first session is an opportunity for us to talk about what has brought you to counselling and what you'd like support with. You can ask me questions, tell me about any concerns you have, and get a sense of how I work. Most importantly, it's also an opportunity for you to decide whether I feel like the right counsellor for you.
The relationship between counsellor and client is an important part of the counselling process. You should feel comfortable, listened to and respected, and feel able to talk openly without fear of judgement.
Your first session - Sessions last 50 minutes.
During our first session, we'll spend some time understanding what you'd like to explore and what you're hoping to get from counselling. We can discuss your circumstances, any concerns or expectations you have, and how we might work together. You don't need to prepare anything in advance. Just come as you are.
At the end of the session, we can discuss whether you'd like to continue and what might work best for you.
How long will counselling take?
Everyone's circumstances are different, so there isn't a single answer to how many sessions someone needs.
I usually suggest beginning with six weekly sessions. This gives us enough time to establish a good working relationship and begin exploring what is troubling you.
After this, we'll review how things are going together and consider whether you'd benefit from continuing with short-term counselling or a more open-ended approach.
There is no expectation that you should continue simply because you've started.
Your counselling should be guided by your needs and what feels right for you.
The Counselling process
Counselling sometimes involves talking about difficult experiences, emotions or memories. This can feel uncomfortable, particularly when you're beginning to explore things that you may have avoided or kept to yourself.
You may find some sessions easier than others. That's okay.
My role isn't to judge you, tell you what you should do or make decisions for you. Instead, I'll support you as you explore your experiences and help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and the situations you're facing.
We work together at a pace that feels manageable for you.
For many people, having a regular space to stop, reflect and talk openly can be an important part of making sense of what they're experiencing.
I generally recommend weekly sessions, particularly at the beginning, as consistency can help us establish momentum and continuity in our work together.
My Person-Centred Approach
I work from a Person-Centred approach, which means that I see you as an individual rather than simply focusing on a particular problem or diagnosis.
Your experiences, feelings, values and circumstances are unique to you. My role is to provide a supportive environment where you can explore these things openly and develop a greater understanding of yourself.
I believe that being genuinely heard and accepted can create the conditions for meaningful change.
Rather than telling you what you should think or do, we'll explore what matters to you and what you want from your life. Together, we can look at patterns, relationships, beliefs and experiences that may be affecting how you're feeling and consider different perspectives and possibilities.
My hope is that counselling can help you reconnect with your own strengths, values and sense of self, giving you greater clarity and confidence as you find your own way forward.
About Me
Hello, I‘m Michael.
I'm a qualified Person-Centred Counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework and good practice guidelines.
Before becoming a counsellor, I had a varied career across advertising, media, publishing and photography, working with people from many different backgrounds and walks of life. I've also lived and worked across two continents.
These experiences have shaped the way I see people and the importance I place on listening without judgement.
I have experience working as a counsellor within the NHS, providing short-term therapy, as well as in an agency setting where I provided open-ended counselling.
I'm passionate about counselling and genuinely value the opportunity to work alongside people as they navigate difficult periods in their lives.
I believe you don't need to arrive at counselling knowing exactly what's wrong or what needs to change. Sometimes having the opportunity to talk openly with someone who will listen, without judgement, can be the beginning of understanding things differently.
My Location
I offer in-person and home visit counselling in Warrington, Cheshire, as well as online and telephone sessions.
My counselling room is located at:
19 Wilson Patton Street
Warrington
WA1 1PG
The practice is accessible from Stockton Heath, Lymm, Woolston, Burtonwood, Winwick, Widnes, St Helens, Liverpool and Greater Manchester.
Fees
£60 per 50-minute session
I also have a limited number of concessionary spaces available for people on a low income, benefits or a pension.
Please contact me to ask about availability.
Free initial consultation
Before committing to counselling, I offer a free 15–20 minute initial consultation by telephone or Zoom. This is simply an opportunity for us to introduce ourselves, for you to ask any questions you may have, and for us to briefly discuss what has brought you to counselling.
There is no obligation to book further sessions.
If we both feel that counselling could be helpful, we can then arrange a suitable day and time for your first session.
Get in touch
You don't need to know exactly what you want to say before getting in touch.
If you're considering counselling and would like to have an initial conversation, you're welcome to contact me.
Email: michaelschmooltherapy@gmail.com
Phone: +44 07398 755314
Address: Warrington, Cheshire
Client Feedback