Michelle Robinson-Hayes

Michelle Robinson-Hayes is a counsellor with ten years' experience helping people facing stress, anxiety, depression and relationship worries. She also supports those coping with grief, addiction, self-esteem struggles and life changes. Michelle works with clients on practical steps and clearer thinking to help them manage day-to-day challenges.

She uses a mix of talking therapies and coaching skills to match each person's needs. That includes client-centred listening, cognitive behavioural techniques, hypnotherapy and mindfulness practices. Michelle explains things in plain language and focuses on small, achievable goals.

Michelle trained and practises as a hypnotherapist and has run The Listening Tree counselling and hypnotherapy service for over eight years. She has delivered training and mentoring to students and supervised other counsellors. Her background also includes senior management experience in corporate settings, which informs her structured approach to planning and goal setting.

In sessions she draws on problem-solving tools and reflective conversation. People can expect practical strategies, thought work to shift unhelpful patterns, and guided relaxation or hypnotherapy when appropriate. Michelle aims to help clients feel more able to cope and make clearer choices.

She has volunteered with bereavement support and completed substantial placement hours with CRUSE. Michelle is BACP registered and has worked with a range of organisations on anxiety and mental health initiatives. Her practice is based in the United Kingdom and she communicates in English.

Therapeutic approaches suited to online work

Client-Centred Therapy is about listening and following the person's agenda. The counsellor offers acceptance and reflection to help someone make sense of their experience and decide what to change. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, focuses on unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. It uses clear steps and exercises to reduce anxiety, manage mood and improve daily routines.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss options and test what helps most, tailoring techniques to the person's goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process where methods can be adjusted as progress is made.

Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, for example by avoiding travel and allowing shorter check-ins during a lunch break. Telephone or video counselling have been used by this therapist in the past, but confirm current session options before booking. Online work also supports continuity when people move or travel, while still allowing the same conversational and skills-based exercises used in face-to-face work.