Michael Armstrong

Member Status: Accredited

Member No: NCS14-01594

Location: Carlisle

I am an integrative counsellor and tailor therapy to the appropriate model be it person centred, psychodynamic or behavioural. I also practice Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM) therapy, a model that works by boosting internal resources to help the client move forward.

I also offer clinical supervision to counsellors.

If you contact me I can promise that I will:-

1. To contact you within two days
2. Arrange a free 20 minute consultation to take place within five days
3. Empathise with your situation and offer responses to foster trust prior to the first appointment.
4. Arrange a first appointment to take place within 14 days,

Beginning - first session

Anxiety often precedes a first session, this is understandable, especially if you've never had counselling. I offer a calm non-judgmental approach to help you to get used the counselling process. Establishing a trusting relationship is key in taking counselling forward and my aim is to do this in the first session.

The first session will be an opportunity to:-

1. Get to know each other
2. Establish a trusting relationship so you can talk openly to me
3. Explore your aims and how we can work together to meet them

I can usually assess if you need short, medium or long term counselling. Sessions are usually weekly and last 50 minutes, but the amount of sessions can vary greatly depending on your needs.

Middle -
This part of therapy is where therapy becomes part of your life. The differences that counselling makes will be gradual yet sustainable, it is often surprising how much a person can benefit from a short (or longer) programme.

1.We will concentrate on the crux of the issues and I use my experience and skills to adopt appropriate models to bring about change.
2. With many years involvement in training and development I am also able to give more directive support for work and personal problems through coaching and mentoring.
3. Your therapy will be given my full attention and confidentiality is assured in a non-judgemental environment. I am ready to support you in moving forward in a holistic manner.

Ending -
Bringing our professional and therapeutic relationship to an end is handled with care. I am conscious that clients come to rely on weekly sessions so ending can be a challenge. However, I always take a flexible approach in balancing your new capabilities and confidence with an appropriate closure.

I work in the South of Scotland and Carlisle face to face and on Zoom throughout the UK, it costs nothing to email me and one email may help you to change your life.

• Qualifications & Experience

  My History
  
  1. I came to be a therapist via a different route than most people in that I had a very successful career in prisons where I graduated from being a prison officer to attain senior management roles.
  2. Alongside this career I worked as a volunteer support worker and counsellor and have worked in all areas including supporting survivors of sexual crime and other post-traumatic stress areas.
  3. I also worked tirelessly in prisons to support staff after incidents, work related stress and to raise awareness and support for prisoners who were also survivors of abuse.
  4. I was heavily involved in training and development in all of the roles that I performed. As such I also teach students who are studying for a Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling.
  
  I feel that my career, training and experience as a counsellor give me a lot of skills to help people in a lot of areas from relationship problems, to bereavement, to complex trauma, workplace stress etc.
  
  My qualifications are:-
  
  Advanced Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
  Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
  Certificate in Counselling
  Certificate in Comprehensive Resource Model
  Accredited Member of National Counselling Society.
  I also have a Master's Degree in Business Administration, a Diploma in Management Studies and a Certificate in Management Studies.
  I regularly undertake continuous professional development to ensure that I maintain a wide range of counselling, coaching and mentoring skills.
• What I can help with

  • Abortion
  • Abuse – Emotional, Physical, Sexual
  • Addiction (e.g. Alcohol, Computer games, Drugs, Food, Gambling, Sex, Smoking)
  • Adoption
  • AIDS / HIV
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Assertiveness / Self-confidence / Self-esteem
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorders
  • Bereavement / Loss
  • Bullying
  • Children / teenagers
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome / M.E.
  • Cultural issues
  • Depression
  • Disability
  • Divorce & Separation
  • Driving tests
  • Eating disorders
  • Emotional issues
  • Exams
  • Family
  • Financial difficulties
  • Gender identity
  • Generally unhappy with your life
  • IBS / Digestive Issues
  • Illness and dying
  • Immune system support
  • Job interviews
  • Mindfulness
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Panic attacks
  • Parenting skills
  • Phobias
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder / PTSD
  • Public speaking: stage fright
  • Relationships
  • Relaxation
  • Self-defeating behaviours
  • Self-esteem
  • Self-harm
  • Sexuality Identity
  • Shyness / Social Phobia
  • Sleep
  • Spirituality
  • Sporting performance
  • Start exercising
  • Stop smoking
  • Stress
  • Suicidal feelings
  • Tinnitus
  • Trauma
  • Violence / Victim support
• Languages Spoken

  • English