Melanie Baker, NCPS

Melanie Baker welcomes visitors with a simple guiding phrase - "Let Yourself Live" - which reflects her belief in creating space for growth and more satisfying everyday experience. She approaches the first step toward change with warmth and respect, acknowledging that reaching out takes courage and that each person's reasons for seeking support are unique.

In an initial session she begins with an exploratory conversation to understand the issues that brought someone to therapy, listening carefully and treating the client's perspectives with genuine regard. From there she builds a collaborative, personalised plan that may focus on developing specific life skills, reducing recurring unhelpful thoughts or emotions, working through grief or trauma, or addressing a range of individual needs.

Her practice draws on client-centered principles alongside cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic approaches. These frameworks are used flexibly, woven together to match a client's preferences and goals. Practical techniques Melanie may offer include talking therapy, visualisations, mindfulness practices, expressive arts and crafts, journaling, role-play, grounding exercises, symbolic work, structured worksheets, and the use of SMART goals when appropriate.

Melanie also recognises when a different specialist or additional professional support might better serve a client's needs and will provide careful signposting in those cases. She holds the NCPS credential, a professional credential that reflects formal training in psychological practice, and brings kindness, compassion, and straightforward honesty to her therapeutic work.