North West Therapy Centre

Melanie is the Principal Psychologist of North West Therapy Centre and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist specialising in individual, couples and family therapy, and maintains a private practice in Blackpool and Preston. Melanie is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalised approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing. Corporate Experience Melanie professionally qualified as an Organisational Psychologist, and developed considerable expertise in the area of individual and group intervention, management of staff development and change management. Specialising in developing and delivering training programme, as well as counselling and coaching senior managers and professionals she gained a further post-graduate qualification, in Human Resource management in 2002. Melanie worked in the Middle East and America providing professional supervision and training in the public sector as well as team facilitation and multi-level leadership coaching in the private sector. In addition, she offered debriefing and support to those who have experienced work-based stress and trauma. Current Positions: Principal Psychologist and founder of North West Therapy Centres in Blackpool and Preston Chief Executive Officer of NW Therapies Community Interest Company Professional Diplomas Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Diploma (Advanced) Advanced Counselling Skills Diploma Neuro Linguistic Programme Certified Life Coach Therapeutic Experience Anxiety & Panic Trauma Depression Anger Management Stress Management Self-confidence Sexual Violence Domestic Violence Relationships Executive Coaching & Counselling Work based conflict (harassment/bullying) Organisational reviews and planning Professional debriefing (transition/critical incidents) Bespoke Training Enhancing team-engagement and organisational commitment Management Development & Strategic Alignment Areas of Experience Anxiety & Panic Depression Major life changes Relationships Self-confidence Stress Executive Coaching & Counselling Work-based conflict (harassment/bullying) Organisational reviews and planning Professional debriefing (transition; critical incidents) Bespoke Training: Enhancing team-involvement and organisational commitment Management Development & Strategic Alignment

With the Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (C.Q.S.W), Home Office Qualification in Child Care and Masters Degree in Applied Social Studies with particular focus on Ego Psychology – Bryan has extensive experience as a Social Work Expert & Integrative Psychotherapist. Bryan commenced his career as a social worker in 1965 and has undertaken the following duties: 5 years Child Care Social Worker including Child Protection, Court Work, Adoptions, Family Advice and Support; 4 years Senior Social Worker, Child Care/Mental Health; 6 years Principal Training Officer, Lancashire Social Services; 3 years Area Social Work Manager (including Chairman of Child Protection Conferences and Chairman of Reviews for Children in Care) and 10 years County Manager, Child Care, Lancashire Social Services (including Chairman of Lancashire Adoption Panel and Vice Chairman of Lancashire Child Protection Committee). Bryan has worked on a freelance basis as a Guardian Ad Litem in North Lancashire since 1995 and have undertaken various assessments as Independent Social Worker under both private and public law. Throughout his career Bryan has maintained and developed his clinical practice as Psychotherapist, Family Counsellor and Hypnotherapist and has offered services including Therapeutic interventions to children, adolescents and their families where emotional and behavioural difficulties are causing distress and disruption. Therapeutic interventions to individuals and couples who are experiencing relationship difficulties and or emotional distress An independent assessment and therapeutic service to children & young people, their families and carers Consultation and support to foster carers and adoptive parents. Consultation to social work teams working with children, young people, their families and carers. Specialised Training Child Abuse/Sexual Abuse/Ritual Abuse – Reading University 1989 Senior Officers Advanced Management Course – Lancashire County Council 1984. Diploma in Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy – London College of Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy 1983 Local Government Training Officers Certificate – Leicester Polytechnic 1974 Accredited Provider of DISC Psychometric Assessments 1999 Diploma in Neuro Linguistic Programming – NLP Excellence 2007 Governing Bodies I am registered with the General Social Care Council number 1087507

Bryan’s training in psychological therapy (psychotherapy) started when he completed his Mental Health Nurse (RMN) training in 1993. He completed a 2 year course in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (specialist practitioner CBT) and then over the years he has continued to expand and update his psychotherapeutic skills. It is really important both for quality and client assurance that therapists not only maintain their knowledge and skills but also continuously expand their therapeutic tool box. As human beings we are complex individuals and as such one therapeutic intervention will not fit for everyone. Our needs are varied and therefore a good therapist should be able to adapt their model of therapy around those needs – rather than the client having to adapt themselves to the therapy. As such, Bryan has studied a number of other therapeutic interventions and these include: · EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. · Hypnotherapy (MBIH, GHR and registered with the Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council). · Brief Solution Focused Therapy (certificate) · Life Coaching (Adv Certificate) · Psychosocial Interventions (MSc) · NLP (Diploma) · Counselling · CBT for Post Traumatic Stress He has over 20 years of experience in providing therapy both in community settings and also in hospital settings. He has also provided risk assessments (HCR 20) and has worked in a forensic setting for over 11 years. He has worked with solicitors and other organisations such as Occupational Health firms – as such he has the ability and flexibility to be contracted for a period of time (legal and insurance work). Bryan is a member of BACP (MBACP) and as such he adheres to the policies and practices as directed by the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.