About Mel
I'm an Integrative Counsellor working online and I also offer training and workshops for individuals and professionals on body image, weight stigma and disordered eating. I've worked for eating disorder charities for many years and have a passion for helping people with all kinds of body image and eating concerns.
I'm originally from Staffordshire, but now reside in Bristol. I travelled for quite a while in my 20's, and lived in Australia and New Zealand for a few years. My counselling practice, and the majority of my trainings, are online so you can attend from anywhere in the UK (or overseas for the workshops, being mindful of time differences).
I've worked in mental health in the charity sector for over ten years. My other passion, aside from body image and eating disorders, is working in domestic abuse services. I worked with perpetrators of abuse to help change their behaviours and create a safer world for their families.
I'm originally from Staffordshire, but now reside in Bristol. I travelled for quite a while in my 20's, and lived in Australia and New Zealand for a few years. My counselling practice, and the majority of my trainings, are online so you can attend from anywhere in the UK (or overseas for the workshops, being mindful of time differences).
I've worked in mental health in the charity sector for over ten years. My other passion, aside from body image and eating disorders, is working in domestic abuse services. I worked with perpetrators of abuse to help change their behaviours and create a safer world for their families.
My training
- BA (Hons) Counselling and Therapeutic Practice, awarded First Class Honours - University of South Wales
- Foundation Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy, and prior to that a 10-week Listening Skills course - BCPC
- Advanced Diploma in Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating and Neurodiversity - NEDDE
- Working Therapeutically with Adult AuDHD - Free2Bme Neurodiversity
- Child Sexual Abuse; Hope for Healing - Carolyn Spring online course
- Eating Disorder training: NEDDE, National Centre for Eating Disorders, First Steps ED, plus years of my own learning - books, webinars, conferences, podcasts etc
- Various webinars and reading on anti-diet approaches, body acceptance and weight stigma
- Various workshops and reading on Autism and ADHD
- Race, Culture and Anti-Discrimination training - TDAF
- ASIST Suicide Intervention training
- Various Domestic Abuse trainings with Alpha Vesta, Relate, and the Working with Perpetrators European Network
I have delivered talks and workshops for various companies and charities, including:
- National Counsellor's Day Conference
- Pluralistic Practice Conference
- First Steps ED - body image workshops
- Edinburgh University online Weight Stigma seminar series
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - Body image
- Celebrating Activism in Counselling and Psychotherapy event by PCSR
- National Centre for Eating Disorders - lived experience
- Boys at the Crossroads Conference Bristol - DV perpetrator work
I host my own workshops online on Body Image and Disordered Eating. Find out more here.
I write blogs here, but have also written various guest blogs over the years. I was published in Therapy Today in the June 2021 edition with an article called "Counsellors aren't immune to fatphobia". It's available in print and on the BACP website, but if you're not a member you can read it here.
Who I work with
I work with a wide range of eating problems and body image issues, as well as self-esteem and self-worth. I help people connect more with their authentic selves and build confidence. I help people cope with difficulties better and build a tool box of coping strategies. Counselling can help with interpersonal relationships too, as well as understanding how the past connects to the present, and healing and difficulties or trauma from the past.
I often work with neurodivergent people (mainly those with autism and ADHD), and LGBT+ individuals (particularly trans and non-binary people), and people at higher weights. Those struggling with eating can be any shape or size, and people with eating disorders are not always underweight, which you can read more about in this blog post.
I recognise the systemic stigma, discrimination and oppression which contributes to eating and body image problems, and I view eating disorders through in intersectional, social justice, relational lens. Eating disorders are complex and multi-faceted, which is why I work in an integrative style, bringing in different theories and ways of working to best suit your needs.
I see my role as a counsellor as a way to walk alongside you, to support, listen and really hear what’s going on for you, to allow space to process, understand and heal. I aim to be as adaptable and collaborative as possible; counselling is your space, so it needs to be tailored to you.
I often work with neurodivergent people (mainly those with autism and ADHD), and LGBT+ individuals (particularly trans and non-binary people), and people at higher weights. Those struggling with eating can be any shape or size, and people with eating disorders are not always underweight, which you can read more about in this blog post.
I recognise the systemic stigma, discrimination and oppression which contributes to eating and body image problems, and I view eating disorders through in intersectional, social justice, relational lens. Eating disorders are complex and multi-faceted, which is why I work in an integrative style, bringing in different theories and ways of working to best suit your needs.
I see my role as a counsellor as a way to walk alongside you, to support, listen and really hear what’s going on for you, to allow space to process, understand and heal. I aim to be as adaptable and collaborative as possible; counselling is your space, so it needs to be tailored to you.
Why I became a counsellor
I've had my own struggles with eating, body image and mental health in the past. I've benefitted from a lot of therapy myself as many of my body image and weight anxieties were deeply rotted in self-worth issues. I've written various things about my own journey through my blogs and this will also be covered in a book I am working on too. I feel my lived experience helps clients to feel like I really "get it" because I've been there myself. It took many years for me to accept myself and my size, and to start being kinder to myself. I'm proud to now be able to give back and help others.
Standing out and expressing myself has been a big part of my own body acceptance learning, as I've done a lot of work on the shame I felt about myself and have built self-compassion. I love expressing myself with bold clothes and accessories, and sometimes this involves wearing things that bigger people are often told we “shouldn’t” wear. I'm passionate about helping people build confidence and self-acceptance. I'm a big sequin enthusiast and was nicknamed "The Besequinned Counsellor" during my training!
I'm a big fan of pizza and cold water swimming (not at the same time). Though many people think I'm bonkers, cold water swimming can be great for your mental health and wellbeing. I love it, it's like a reset button and is really calming. I'm part Italian so Italian food is very important to me, both cooking and eating it myself and cooking for others. Connecting with this part of me has also helped my own relationship with food over the years.
If you'd like to enquire about counselling or if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch here:
Standing out and expressing myself has been a big part of my own body acceptance learning, as I've done a lot of work on the shame I felt about myself and have built self-compassion. I love expressing myself with bold clothes and accessories, and sometimes this involves wearing things that bigger people are often told we “shouldn’t” wear. I'm passionate about helping people build confidence and self-acceptance. I'm a big sequin enthusiast and was nicknamed "The Besequinned Counsellor" during my training!
I'm a big fan of pizza and cold water swimming (not at the same time). Though many people think I'm bonkers, cold water swimming can be great for your mental health and wellbeing. I love it, it's like a reset button and is really calming. I'm part Italian so Italian food is very important to me, both cooking and eating it myself and cooking for others. Connecting with this part of me has also helped my own relationship with food over the years.
If you'd like to enquire about counselling or if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch here: