Michael Ross, BACP

Michael Ross is a humanistic, trauma-informed therapeutic counsellor and logotherapist who works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and self-esteem concerns. He combines empathic, reflective practice with meaning-centered techniques to help people make sense of difficult experiences and build resilience over time.

He has six years of clinical experience and is a member of the BACP - the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists - which is a recognised professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom. Over the course of his practice he has supported hundreds of clients, including many professionals in creative industries and students pursuing BA and MA studies in creative fields.

Michael has particular experience supporting substance dependence such as alcohol, cocaine and prescription medication issues, and assisting people who identify as neurodivergent - for example with ADHD, Autism or AuDHD. He also works with creative challenges like writer's block, imposter syndrome, option paralysis and difficulties initiating tasks. Other focus areas include anxiety and depression, trauma, attachment difficulties and grief, intrusive or suicidal thoughts, and compulsive behaviours such as gambling, sexual behaviours and shopping.

In addition to counselling, Michael is a trained and experienced Specialist Mentor (SM-MH/ASC) who has supported higher education learners receiving Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). He can assist with DSA applications and also offers private mentoring for those who are not eligible for DSA or who are waiting for assessments.

Trauma-informed and Meaning-focused Approaches for Online Care

Michael Ross draws on trauma-informed practice to help people understand how past experiences affect current thoughts, feelings and behaviours; this approach prioritises safety, pacing and awareness of trauma responses and can be helpful for survivors of abuse, chronic stress and post-traumatic reactions. He also uses humanistic methods that emphasise empathy, validation and the client's own resources, supporting personal growth, self-esteem and emotional awareness in a collaborative way. As a logotherapist he helps clients explore meaning and purpose, guiding conversations that can reduce feelings of emptiness and support recovery from addictions or depression.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the work. Michael adopts a collaborative stance with clients and with other registered professionals as needed, tailoring techniques to individual needs, goals and preferences so that therapy fits the person rather than the person fitting the approach.

Online therapy offers flexible options including video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to fit therapy around study, work and caring responsibilities, increase access for international clients, and allow a variety of ways to communicate so clients can choose what feels most comfortable for them.