- Person-centred focus
- Thoughts and habits
- Weekday evenings
About Michael
Michael Wilkes-Spellman is a counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, and career or life changes. He also supports people dealing with trauma, anger, compassion fatigue and concerns related to LGBT identity. Michael is an accredited member of the National Counselling Society (NCPS) and has worked in the field since 2011. He offers sessions part time, including weekday evenings.
Michael uses an integrated style that adapts to what each person needs. He draws mainly on person-centred work and cognitive behavioural ideas to help people understand their distress. In a session he encourages people to describe their experience and then looks at thoughts and everyday habits that keep problems going.
Sessions focus on practical steps as well as listening. He aims to help people spot unhelpful patterns, try different responses and build small routines that make life easier. He will also explore deeper emotional themes where helpful, using psychodynamic thinking alongside mindfulness practices to support reflection.
Michael enjoys working with adults, couples and older adults through many kinds of life challenge. He describes his role as collaborative - he and the person set goals together and check progress over time. His approach is direct but warm, with an emphasis on clear ideas you can use between sessions.
He trained in counselling in 2011 and keeps updating his skills in wellbeing topics. His background combines talking therapies with practical coaching-style support, so sessions can include both reflective work and concrete behaviour changes.
Michael uses an integrated style that adapts to what each person needs. He draws mainly on person-centred work and cognitive behavioural ideas to help people understand their distress. In a session he encourages people to describe their experience and then looks at thoughts and everyday habits that keep problems going.
Sessions focus on practical steps as well as listening. He aims to help people spot unhelpful patterns, try different responses and build small routines that make life easier. He will also explore deeper emotional themes where helpful, using psychodynamic thinking alongside mindfulness practices to support reflection.
Michael enjoys working with adults, couples and older adults through many kinds of life challenge. He describes his role as collaborative - he and the person set goals together and check progress over time. His approach is direct but warm, with an emphasis on clear ideas you can use between sessions.
He trained in counselling in 2011 and keeps updating his skills in wellbeing topics. His background combines talking therapies with practical coaching-style support, so sessions can include both reflective work and concrete behaviour changes.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Family conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger managementCareer difficultiesDepressionCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAutism and Asperger SyndromeBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addictionSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWorkplace issues
Therapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems
Experience
13+ years
Credentials
NCPS · United Kingdom
Languages
English
How online work can use different therapeutic approaches
Client-centred therapy focuses on listening and understanding someone’s experience. It helps people feel heard and encourages them to lead the conversation about what matters most. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and everyday habits that keep problems going and offers practical experiments to try between sessions. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention skills to reduce reactivity and support calmer thinking.Choosing the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will talk with the person about goals and preferences and then suggest which methods to use. That decision is collaborative and can change as therapy progresses to fit what helps best.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, for example by removing travel time or allowing evening appointments. It can also allow shorter check-ins when time is limited or sessions that focus on practical homework and behavioural changes you can try between meetings.
Frequently asked questions
What issues does Michael support?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, career changes and related concerns such as trauma, anger and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
His style is integrated and collaborative, combining person-centred listening with practical cognitive behavioural techniques and mindfulness where useful.
How long has he practised counselling?
He completed his counselling training in 2011 and has around 13 years of practice experience.
Where is he based and what credentials does he hold?
He works in the United Kingdom and is an accredited member of the National Counselling Society (NCPS).
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients be seen?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start working with him?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to his availability.