Gestalt Psychotherapist and Supervisor, Trainer. UKCP Registered.
Senior Practitioner Coach. EMCC Registered.
A curious mind, an independent spirit, and a lifelong passion for understanding people.
Hi, I’m Mel
I'm a straight-speaking Yorkshire woman who has made Wales her home for 40 years. I've worked in mental health since 1986, and today I work as a Gestalt psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, trainer and coach.
My career has taken me through mental health services, social work, psychotherapy, supervision, education and organisational development. Each experience has shaped how I understand people, their relationships and the environments in which they live and work.
My own relationship with learning has not always been straightforward. I struggled at school and discovered that I am neurodivergent. It took me time to discover how I learn best. Since then, I successfully completed a science degree and have achieved postgraduate qualifications in psychotherapy, supervision and coaching. My schoolgirl self would be shocked!
Discovering experiential learning, particularly through Gestalt therapy, was transformational. I found an approach that connected theory with lived experience, curiosity with reflection, and learning with genuine human relationships.
I co-founded a Psychotherapy Training Institute and have spent many years training psychotherapists and supervisors, including teaching in Cardiff and Singapore. More recently, I have focused on providing CPD and helping practitioners and organisations translate psychological understanding into everyday practice.
Throughout my career, one thing has remained central: the quality of our relationships. I believe that feeling understood, being appropriately challenged and having the right support can help us develop greater awareness, confidence and choice.
I am not someone who will simply tell you what you want to hear. I bring warmth, honesty and curiosity to my work, and I am comfortable exploring difficult questions. Relational ethics, difference and power dynamics matter to me because they shape every relationship, including the professional relationships we create together.
What matters to me
Honesty and Authenticity
I value openness, directness and being genuine in my relationships. I believe we can be honest and challenging while remaining respectful, supportive and compassionate.
Relationships and Connection
Our relationships shape who we are and who we become. I pay attention to how we meet, communicate and respond to each other, and what we can learn from those experiences.
Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
After more than 40 years in mental health, I am still learning. I enjoy exploring ideas, questioning assumptions and bringing theory into conversation with real-life experience.
Growth Through Support and Challenge
I believe that people need both support and appropriate challenge to grow. My role is not to have all the answers, but to create the conditions in which people can discover more of their own.
Respect for Difference
Our backgrounds, identities and experiences influence how we see the world. I believe it is important to recognise these differences, explore power and privilege, and remain open to perspectives beyond our own.
Frequently asked questions
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I began working in mental health in 1986 and have since worked across mental health, social work, psychotherapy, training, clinical supervision and the third sector.
This breadth of experience has given me an understanding of the challenges people face, not only personally but also within families, organisations and wider society.
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I have a BSc (Hons), a Diploma in Social Work, a postgraduate diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy and a postgraduate diploma in Supervision.
I am a UKCP-registered Gestalt psychotherapist, a supervising member of the Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute (GPTI), and a senior practitioner coach registered with EMCC.
I remain committed to professional development, supervision and ethical practice.
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Gestalt therapy offered me a way of understanding people that felt both intellectually rich and deeply practical.
Rather than seeing individuals as problems to be fixed, Gestalt encourages us to become curious about our experiences, relationships and ways of responding to the world.
I particularly value its emphasis on awareness, relationship, creativity and the possibility of change.
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Warm, direct, curious and sometimes challenging.
I take my work seriously, but that doesn't mean we can't use humour or creativity. I aim to build relationships where people feel supported enough to think openly, question their assumptions and explore difficult experiences.
I won't pretend to have all the answers, and I don't expect you to either.
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My own experience has taught me that there is no single correct way to think, learn or understand the world.
It has influenced how I approach training, supervision and professional relationships. I try to remain attentive to individual differences and to create space for different ways of processing, communicating and learning.
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I co-founded the Welsh Psychotherapy Training Institute and have trained counsellors, psychotherapists and supervisors over many years.
I have also developed and delivered training for statutory agencies, charities and other organisations, including work relating to trauma, mental health and professional development.
Today, I focus on continuing professional development and experiential learning.
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My work now encompasses four interconnected areas:
Psychotherapy – Supporting individuals to understand themselves, explore their experiences and develop greater choice in their lives.
Clinical Supervision – Providing a reflective and supportive space for therapists and other helping professionals.
Training – Offering CPD in therapeutic practice, supervision, group work and related areas.
Coaching – Supporting leaders and professionals to gain clarity, develop confidence and navigate challenges.
Each has its own approach, but all are informed by my experience, Gestalt philosophy and belief in people's capacity to grow.
Let’s explore how we can work together
