Melanie O'Brien

Melanie O'Brien is a BACP counsellor based in the United Kingdom with five years' experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, grief and depression, and those coping with major life changes. She also helps with relationship and intimacy-related issues, self-esteem and parenting concerns. Melanie uses a client-centred approach, which means she focuses on building a respectful, trusting relationship so clients can speak openly. Sessions are practical and conversational; she listens, offers reflections, and helps people notice patterns that get in the way of feeling steady. She draws on elements of other approaches alongside client-centred work when these feel useful. That can include talking through unhelpful thinking patterns and practical ways to manage difficult feelings. The emphasis is on working at a pace that suits the client. Melanie has supported people dealing with family and family-of-origin problems, communication difficulties, attachment and abandonment concerns, and the emotional effects of chronic illness or caregiving. She also addresses issues such as body image, eating concerns, substance use and coping with shame or guilt. People often come because they feel stuck after a change or unsure what comes next. Melanie helps them sort through practical next steps and the feelings that make decision-making harder. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session through the site's booking flow.

Client-Centred approach and online working

Melanie uses Client-Centred Therapy as her core approach. That means she prioritises an honest, respectful relationship and gives people room to speak without interruption. This approach is often helpful for anxiety, low mood, self-esteem and relationship concerns because it focuses on understanding a person's experience rather than imposing solutions. She may also bring in straightforward, practical ideas from other approaches when these suit a client's needs. For example, discussing thinking patterns or short coping strategies can be added alongside client-centred listening. Deciding what to use is collaborative and based on the client's goals and preferences. Finding the right approach is part of the work. Melanie will talk with clients about what feels most useful and adjust the style over time. That conversation helps set realistic steps for people unsure what comes next. Confirm the specific session options before booking because the biography does not list formats. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a routine, reduce travel time and allow quicker check-ins around work or caregiving commitments. It can also let people choose quieter surroundings or shorter check-in sessions when that suits their day.