Michelle Banks

Michelle Banks is a BACP-registered counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression and relationship strain. She writes in a warm, interactive style and aims to create a respectful space where people can talk through what feels hard. Michelle supports those dealing with trauma, grief, addictions and identity concerns, including intellectual disability and related life challenges.

Michelle uses a person-centred approach that puts the client's experience at the centre of each session. That means listening carefully and following each person's pace rather than imposing a set plan. She also draws on mindfulness techniques to support grounding and to help manage overwhelming feelings.

Her background includes seven years of counselling experience working with a broad range of concerns such as OCD, PTSD, parenting worries, career stress and relationship difficulties. She has worked with people affected by immigration issues, HIV/AIDS, gender dysphoria and multicultural challenges, and offers support around end-of-life and hospice matters.

Sessions focus on what matters most to the individual. Michelle aims to help people identify practical steps, develop coping strategies and build on their strengths. Conversations are straightforward and delivered with sensitivity and respect.

If someone is considering therapy, Michelle encourages a simple first step of making contact and describing current concerns. She offers a collaborative way of working that helps clients set realistic goals and take manageable steps towards change.

Approaches and how they work online

Michelle commonly uses client-centred work and mindfulness techniques in session. Client-centred therapy involves listening closely to what matters to the person and following their pace, which helps when someone needs time to find their direction. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and support emotional regulation.

She also draws on aspects of trauma-focused therapy when past events continue to affect daily life. That approach looks at how memories and reactions show up now, and aims to help people build safer ways of coping and moving forward.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods suit their needs, goals and preferences. This is an ongoing conversation, and plans are adjusted as progress is made.

Practical benefits of online therapy can include fitting sessions around work and family commitments and removing travel time. Online work may also make it easier to have shorter check-ins when needed or to join a session without being on camera. The biography does not state which session formats are offered, so confirm available online options before booking to ensure they match your needs.