Michael Wilkes-Spellman, NCPS

Michael Wilkes-Spellman is an experienced counsellor and an accredited member of the National Counselling Society (NCPS), a professional body for counsellors in the United Kingdom. He completed his counselling training in 2011 and continues to update his skills across a range of wellbeing topics to stay current with best practice.

Working part time, Michael offers appointments on weekday evenings to accommodate clients with busy daytime schedules. He uses an integrated approach to therapy, tailoring support to each person by drawing primarily on person-centred and cognitive behavioural methods. His practice emphasises the individual experience of distress, helping clients make sense of what they are facing and, where appropriate, identifying and addressing unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour.

Michael enjoys working with adults, couples, and older adults on a variety of life challenges. He adapts his approach to meet the needs of each client, aiming to create a compassionate, focused space where people can explore concerns, develop coping strategies, and work toward their personal goals.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Michael works from an integrated framework that places emphasis on person-centred practice and cognitive behavioural techniques. Client-centred therapy focuses on the individual's experience, offering a supportive, non-directive space where clients explore feelings and personal values to find their own solutions. This approach is helpful for people navigating life transitions, relationship concerns, and the emotional impact of loss.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to stress, anxiety, and low mood. CBT is practical and goal-oriented, often used to develop coping strategies and break cycles that maintain distress. Michael may also draw on mindfulness-informed techniques to support present-moment awareness and stress regulation when useful.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michael will work with clients to select methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as therapy progresses. Online therapy offers flexibility in how sessions take place - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to access therapy around work, family, and daily life commitments while maintaining continuity of care.