Michelle Dunne , BACP

Michelle Dunne is a person-centred therapist and a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) who works to their Ethical Framework. She has developed experience supporting people with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, grief and loss, and depression, offering a calm, respectful space where thoughts and emotions can be explored without judgement. She focuses on empowering clients as they take courageous steps towards a more fulfilling life.

Michelle values being heard and met with warmth, compassion and acceptance. She sets aside time for each person to be themselves and to speak openly, believing that a compassionate presence can ease the burden of difficult feelings. This approach gives clients room to grieve, reflect and begin to find movement towards healing in their own time.

Her practice emphasises careful listening and thoughtful feedback, which she sees as tools for fostering deeper self-understanding and practical change. Michelle believes the quality of the relationship between therapist and client is central to positive work, and she aims to ensure people feel cared for and valued throughout the process.

Earlier careers gave her experience supporting people through crises, trauma and sudden loss, which informs her sensitive work with grief and bereavement. As a late-diagnosed autistic woman, she enjoys working with neurodivergent clients and embraces diverse lifestyles and family configurations. Her personal experience includes same-sex and heterosexual relationships and time as a seasoned step-mother, and she is open to learning about polyamorous relationships. Outside of counselling she enjoys walking with her three dogs, travelling and sunshine, and she feels grateful for the privilege of working with people who choose to be vulnerable with her. She holds a BEd (Hons) - a bachelor level degree in education - and diplomas in psychotherapeutic counselling, and is a registered member of the BACP.

Person-Centred and Motivational Support Delivered Online

Michelle draws on client-centred therapy, which places the person at the heart of the work. This approach focuses on listening with empathy, accepting each person s experience, and creating a non-directive space where clients can explore feelings, relationships and life transitions at their own pace. It is helpful for issues such as anxiety, grief and relationship difficulties.

She also uses motivational interviewing, a collaborative conversational method that helps people clarify their goals and strengthen their motivation for change. This approach can be useful for addressing behaviours or decisions that feel stuck, for example when tackling addictions, making lifestyle changes, or exploring new directions in life.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey, and Michelle works collaboratively with clients to identify which methods best match their needs, goals and preferences. Therapists and clients decide together how to adapt sessions to suit progress and comfort.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging - offer practical flexibility. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, support access for people living further away, and allow clients to choose the way of communicating that feels most comfortable for them. Licensed professionals can deliver effective, responsive care through these channels while working alongside clients to meet their aims.