- Person-centred focus
- CBT tools used
- Evening appointments
About Michael
Michael Wilkes-Spellman is a counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief and codependency. He works with individuals on intimacy-related issues, career concerns, compassion fatigue and the effects of trauma and abuse. He offers appointments on weekday evenings and has 13 years of experience supporting adults and older adults.
Michael trained in 2011 and is an accredited member of the National Counselling Society, NCPS. He uses an integrated approach and adapts each session to the person in front of him. Sessions tend to focus on understanding what is causing distress and on practical steps to shift unhelpful patterns.
In a typical meeting he encourages people to talk through their experience and what they most want to change. He mixes person-centred listening with tools from cognitive behavioural work when that is useful. He also draws on mindfulness and reflective techniques to help people notice thoughts and feelings without being overwhelmed.
Clients can expect straightforward conversations about problems and possible next steps. Michael aims to make sessions a place to untangle difficult feelings and build manageable coping strategies. He works part time and offers evening appointments to fit around work and family demands.
Background and approach: He trained in an integrated model and continues to update his skills. Over 13 years he has helped people with a broad range of issues including abandonment, adoption and foster care concerns, aging, neurodiversity, kink and body image worries. His style is practical, calm and focused on what the client needs right now.
How Michael’s approaches translate to online working
Michael draws on two complementary approaches. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening closely to a person's experience and helping them feel understood; it is useful for issues like grief, relationship strain and navigating life changes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviours maintain difficulty and offers practical techniques to change unhelpful patterns, which can help with anxiety, depression and codependency.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Michael will discuss goals, preferences and what feels helpful, then agree a way forward. That means therapy is collaborative and can adapt over time as needs change.
If you expect to try online sessions, please confirm the exact session options before booking as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into busy weeks, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time around work or family commitments. It also gives the chance to use CBT exercises and mindfulness practices between meetings to support progress.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Credentials
Listed on profile
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Michael help with?
He supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, trauma and abuse, codependency and related concerns.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He combines person-centred listening with practical techniques from cognitive behavioural work and mindfulness to address patterns that cause distress.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 13 years of experience and completed his counselling training in 2011.
What credentials and location are listed?
He is an accredited member of the National Counselling Society, NCPS, and practises in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he work with clients outside the UK?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with him?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.