Melanie Richards | Senior Accredited Counsellor | Swindon | NCS

We are officially changing our name to the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society!

Information for members

From the 15th of May 2023, we will officially be changing our name to the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).

Our new and improved website is coming soon!

Melanie Richards

Member Status: Senior Accredited

Member No: NCS13-00251

Location: Swindon

Mates in Mind

I have experience in a wide range of issues, supporting clients from all walks of life including personnel from the emergency services, counselling both short term and long term. I offer a secure, confidential and professional relationship, through which problems can be identified, confronted and resolved in the privacy of regular, reliable sessions.

As well as being in a private practice I work with 13-25 year olds as Clinical Lead in a young persons counselling service. I have experience in counselling at a children's hospice, supporting children, teenagers and their families. I have worked in the charity sector for over 25 years in both a counselling and fundraising capacity.

My approach is holistic, in that I am interested in “the whole person”, and I often encourage clients to examine aspects of their overall lifestyle, such as health, diet and exercise, to assist and support the psychological and emotional changes they are making.

I practice integrative psychotherapy which means that I have trained in several models of therapy. I draw from a psychodynamic, humanistic and person-centred, approach which allows me to offer the type of therapy, or combination of therapies, that is most appropriate for the particular needs of each client. My approach is particularly suited to people who want to understand themselves better as well as tackle problematic issues or areas.

I also provide relaxation courses for both individuals and groups helping to facilitate deep relaxation enabling the mind and body to relax together.

  • Qualifications & Experience
    Registered Senior Accredited Member of the National Counselling Society, (MNCS Snr Acc)

    Member British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists (MBACP)

    BACP Certificate in Proficiency and Registered

    Advanced Dip Counselling & Psychotherapy

    NCS Approved Supervisor

    Dip Clinical Hypnotherapy

    Certificate in Bereavement Counselling – CRUSE Bereavement

    Certificate in Navigating truth telling in end of life care

    Level 3 certificate in child protection

    Certificate Decision making in Neglect

    Enhanced DBS check (Disclosure & Barring Service)
  • What I can help with
    • Abuse – Emotional, Physical, Sexual
    • Addiction (e.g. Alcohol, Computer games, Drugs, Food, Gambling, Sex, Smoking)
    • Adolescence
    • Ageing and related issues
    • Anger Management
    • Anxiety
    • Assertiveness / Self-confidence / Self-esteem
    • Bereavement / Loss
    • Bullying
    • Cancer
    • Carers
    • Depression
    • Disability
    • Divorce & Separation
    • Eating disorders
    • Emotional issues
    • Family
    • Financial difficulties
    • Gender identity
    • Generally unhappy with your life
    • Illness and dying
    • Mindfulness
    • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
    • Panic attacks
    • Parenting skills
    • Phobias
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder / PTSD
    • Pregnancy related issues
    • Relationships
    • Relaxation
    • Self-defeating behaviours
    • Self-esteem
    • Self-harm
    • Sexuality Identity
    • Shyness / Social Phobia
    • Stress
    • Suicidal feelings
    • Trauma
    • Violence / Victim support
    • Young people and children
  • Find a Counsellor

    Find the help you need...If you are a potential client looking for a counsellor, you may search our registrants by location or name and you can also check whether someone is on the NCPS accredited register. A member of the Society may be a Registrant or a non-registrant member.

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  • Train as a Counsellor

    Use our Find a Course tool to find the nearest training providers who offer National Counselling Society Accredited, Advanced Specialist, Quality Checked or CPD courses. These courses are currently run across the the UK.

    Find Out More