Melissa Clarke, BACP

Melissa Clarke is a BACP-accredited UK psychotherapist with a background in counselling and a Masters in Mental Health Science. With 12 years of clinical experience, she works from an integrative stance, blending evidence-informed methods so each person receives an approach that fits their needs and circumstances.

She specialises in stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes, and offers focused support for issues such as abandonment, attachment concerns, codependency, commitment and communication problems, control issues, infidelity, isolation, and questions about life purpose and finances. Her practice often addresses the emotional effects of divorce and separation, guilt and shame, impulsivity, and challenges associated with narcissistic relationships.

In sessions she creates an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be explored. Techniques she commonly uses include talking therapy, cognitive behavioural methods, mindfulness practices, and practical tools such as worksheets, brief videos, and interactive exercises. She provides a structured 12-session programme with a review at session six, and clients who wish to continue may discuss an extension during the twelfth session subject to evaluation.

Therapy is offered via video, audio calls, live chat, or text-based messaging. Chat messages between sessions are responded to within 24 hours on weekdays, usually between 3pm and 4pm, and clients are encouraged to keep messages concise and specific so Melissa can offer clear, actionable guidance.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Melissa draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to help clients understand how early relationships shape current patterns - this approach is useful for people struggling with intimacy, abandonment, trust, or attachment-related fears. Client-Centered Therapy is also central to her work, offering an empathetic, nonjudgmental space where the client’s own goals and pace guide the process and foster self-directed growth. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides practical tools to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, which can be effective for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Melissa collaborates with each client to figure out which methods best match their needs, goals, and personal preferences, and she adapts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Melissa is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into a busy life and to connect from different locations. These options increase flexibility and accessibility, allowing clients to choose the format that feels most comfortable while still receiving structured, professional support from a registered professional.