Melanie Harris
Psychotherapist (MA, BSc (Hons), MBACP)
I am a psychotherapist offering in-person psychotherapy and counselling in both Guildford and Godalming in Surrey, and online via Zoom. I hold a Masters degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, and have experience working in private practice, for the NHS and in the charity sector.
I am very passionate about improving mental health care and see it as a great privilege to work alongside my clients.
Qualifications / Training
MA in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of Roehampton (Distinction)
BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences, Durham University
The Compassionate Mind Approach to Recovering from Complex PTSD – Professor Deborah Lee, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
An Introduction to CFT for Eating Disorders – Dr Ken Goss, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
An Introduction to Theory and Practice of Compassion Focused Therapy – Dr Chris Irons and Dr Shelley Kerr, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
Foundation Certificate in the Application of Polyvagal Theory in Counselling and Psychotherapy – Temenos Education
Research / Publications
“Compassion and Complexity: An Exploration of Therapists’ Experiences of using a CFT approach to working with Complex Trauma. An IPA Study.” This research was completed in 2022 and is currently in the editing phase to be submitted for publication
Speaking
I was honoured to be asked to speak at the Compassionate Mind Foundation’s 11th International CFT Conference in Edinburgh in October 2022, to present my research on therapist’s experiences of using CFT to work with complex trauma.
I hold a Masters degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and a fully insured private practitioner.
I understand that life can present us with many struggles, ranging from those arising from specific circumstances or existential concerns, through to more complex and long-standing difficulties. Whatever brings you to therapy, I work collaboratively with my clients to understand their struggles, and work together as a team to explore ways of moving forwards.
I aim to offer a warm and supportive space, and have been told by clients that I help to put them at ease when discussing challenging topics and am a “real” person in the way I work. All of my work is underpinned by my belief that there is nothing "wrong" with my clients, and that the difficulties we find arising in our lives are often very understandable and normal human responses to certain experiences.
I have a great interest in relational dynamics, and working with the challenges that arise in our relationships both with others and ourselves, as well as considering how some of these patterns may have arisen from earlier experiences. I am experienced at working with clients who may struggle with high levels of shame or self-criticism, and find that this impacts across many areas of their lives.
As well as private practice, I also work within the NHS and have previous experience of working in charity settings. In addition, I am also a qualified personal trainer and have a strong interest in how the mind and the body interact, especially when working with trauma. I am a firm believer in size-inclusivity, and work in a body positive way.
Contact Me
If you are interested in working together, please get in contact via phone or email, or using the form below. Please note that my email address sometimes goes to people's spam folders; please check your spam if you have not heard back from me within 48 hours.
Telephone:
07842 345 942