Michaela Stansfield

I currently offer online sessions Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 11am-4.30pm

I run therapeutic groups on Fridays. 

To get the most out of therapy you will have to face things and feelings that you may have for whatever reason had to suppress or ignore. I will ensure that you do this in a way that is safe and as comfortable as possible. Being trauma-informed means that I understand how trauma affects the mind and body, and how to work safely with this. Most clients are relieved to hear that you do not need to tell me what happened to you to be able to work through it. 

Counselling can be helpful if you feel unable to share difficult feelings or strong emotions with loved ones, either through fear of upsetting them or their attempts, through the best intentions, to ‘fix’ things for you. Sometimes you need the space to be heard and find your own solutions, however long that takes. I will meet you where you are at, not trying to change you or your situation, and offer the distance and perspective you may be needing. 

I work exclusively with those who identify as women at all life stages, and the unique challenges, expectations and duties that come with this. I work with a lot of mums as they navigate matrescence, the ongoing process of becoming a mother, and the often distressing, overwhelming and conflicting feelings that come with this. My passion for supporting mums spurred me into creating Raising Mumâ„¢, a series of therapeutic groups, with the aim to change the narrative around motherhood and empower mums to reach out for the support they deserve! 

My approach draws from humanistic person-centred therapy, psychodynamic attachment theory, transactional analysis (TA) and inner child therapy, cognitive and behavioural acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), along with polyvagal theory and neuroscience which bring in the lens of the nervous system. I also work creatively if you choose to, which can not only be transformative and offer language where there are no words, but can also help to externalise trauma or painful feelings and experiences in a way that feels safer to work with.

I offer a FREE, no obligation 20 minute online consultation for us to meet and better understand your needs. 

Following on from our initial consultation, should you wish to book a first session I will forward you a copy of the therapy contract which will outline everything you need to know. There will also be an short assessment to fill out - this is just so I can assess risk as well as track progress during our time together, and getting this all of of the way before your first session means you can make the most of this.  

I work with clients weekly or fortnightly, short and long term, and recommend that we begin with a minimum of 6 sessions so that you have enough time to explore what has brought you to therapy and whether it feels a right fit for you. You are always in charge of sessions and are free to end therapy whenever you wish. 

I currently offer online sessions Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 11am-4.30pm.

I run therapeutic groups on Fridays. 

Hello, my name is Michaela Stansfield, a.k.a. The Women’s Therapist. I understand that starting therapy can be a daunting experience. I aim to provide a safe, relaxed and supportive space in which to explore whatever you wish, at your own pace. By exploring your thoughts, feelings and options you will gain better understanding of yourself, new perspectives, develop strategies to better cope or work towards goals, and be able to make informed decisions that are more in line with your authentic self!

I am not a therapist who is just going to sit there and nod. I will be alongside you as you decide where we go, as I believe that you have the answers within you - even if they are hard to heard right now, and will support you in finding these by scaffolding you, which at times may involve me offering some insights, a different perspective, simple psychoeducation, and suggesting some tools that you may find helpful.

Imagine me as your passenger in a car - you are in the driving seat deciding where we go and at what pace, yet I am with you the whole way and have a roadmap I can draw upon whenever you need assistance.

As an integrative counsellor I can draw from a number of modalities and theories of therapy to best support you. In particular, my approach is informed by polyvagal theory, bringing in the lens of your nervous system. So often we can feel stuck in survival mode or on auto-pilot and disconnected from our true selves. The notion of ‘you need to feel it to heal it’ informs my practice, as I encourage clients to raise self-awareness and self-acceptance, as only then change is possible.

Do you feel unheard, overwhelmed, a loss of self or confidence, stuck in unhelpful coping mechanisms or patterns? Do you feel like your worth is tied to pleasing others, or how useful or 'perfect' you can be? Do you feel like your past is impacting your present? Is your inner critic running the show?

To get the most out of therapy you will have to face things and feelings that you may have for whatever reason had to suppress or ignore. I will ensure that you do this in a way that is safe and as comfortable as possible. Being trauma-informed means that I understand how trauma affects the mind and body, and how to work safely with this. Most client’s are relieved to hear that you do not need to tell me what happened to you to be able to work through it.

Counselling can be helpful if you feel unable to share difficult feelings or strong emotions with loved ones, either through fear of upsetting them or their attempts, through the best intentions, to ‘fix’ things for you. Sometimes you need the space to be heard and find your own solutions, however long that takes. I will meet you where you are at, not trying to change you or your situation, and offer the distance and perspective you may be needing.

I work exclusively with those who identify as women at all life stages, and the unique challenges, expectations and duties that come with this. I work with a lot of mums as they navigate matrescence, the ongoing process of becoming a mother, and the often distressing, overwhelming and conflicting feelings that come with this. My passion for supporting mums spurred me into creating Raising Mumâ„¢, a series of therapeutic groups, with the aim to change the narrative around motherhood and empower mums to reach out for the support they deserve!

My approach draws from humanistic person-centred therapy, psychodynamic attachment theory, transactional analysis (TA) and inner child therapy, cognitive and behavioural acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), along with polyvagal theory and neuroscience which bring in the lens of the nervous system. I also work creatively if you choose to, which can not only be transformative and offer language where there are no words, but can also help to externalise trauma or painful feelings and experiences in a way that feels safer to work with.

I offer a FREE, no obligation 20 minute online consultation for us to meet and better understand your needs.

Following on from our initial consultation, should you wish to book a first session I will forward you a copy of the therapy contract which will outline everything you need to know. There will also be an short assessment to fill out - this is just so I can assess risk as well as track progress during our time together, and getting this all of of the way before your first session means you can make the most of this.

I work with clients weekly or fortnightly, short and long term. I recommend that we begin with a minimum of 6 sessions, so that you have enough time to explore what has brought you to therapy and whether it feels a right fit for you. You are always in charge of sessions and are free to end therapy whenever you wish. 

I currently offer online sessions Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 11am-4.30pm

I run therapeutic groups on Fridays. 

Hello, my name is Michaela Stansfield, a.k.a. The Women’s Therapist. I understand that starting therapy can be a daunting experience. I aim to provide a safe, relaxed and supportive space in which to explore whatever you wish, at your own pace. By exploring your thoughts, feelings and options you will gain better understanding of yourself, new perspectives, develop strategies to better cope or work towards goals, and be able to make informed decisions that are more in line with your authentic self!

I am not a therapist who is just going to sit there and nod. I will be alongside you as you decide where we go, as I believe that you have the answers within you - even if they are hard to heard right now, and will support you in finding these by scaffolding you, which at times may involve me offering some insights, a different perspective, simple psychoeducation, and suggesting some tools that you may find helpful.

Imagine me as your passenger in a car - you are in the driving seat deciding where we go and at what pace, yet I am with you the whole way and have a roadmap I can draw upon whenever you need assistance.

As an integrative counsellor I can draw from a number of modalities and theories of therapy to best support you. In particular, my approach is informed by polyvagal theory, bringing in the lens of your nervous system. So often we can feel stuck in survival mode or on auto-pilot and disconnected from our true selves. The notion of ‘you need to feel it to heal it’ informs my practice, as I encourage clients to raise self-awareness and self-acceptance, as only then change is possible.

Do you feel unheard, overwhelmed, a loss of self or confidence, stuck in unhelpful coping mechanisms or patterns? Do you feel like your worth is tied to pleasing others, or how useful or 'perfect' you can be? Do you feel like your past is impacting your present? Is your inner critic running the show?

To get the most out of therapy you will have to face things and feelings that you may have for whatever reason had to suppress or ignore. I will ensure that you do this in a way that is safe and as comfortable as possible. Being trauma-informed means that I understand how trauma affects the mind and body, and how to work safely with this. Most clients are relieved to hear that you do not need to tell me what happened to you to be able to work through it.

Counselling can be helpful if you feel unable to share difficult feelings or strong emotions with loved ones, either through fear of upsetting them or their attempts, through the best intentions, to ‘fix’ things for you. Sometimes you need the space to be heard and find your own solutions, however long that takes. I will meet you where you are at, not trying to change you or your situation, and offer the distance and perspective you may be needing.

I work exclusively with those who identify as women at all life stages, and the unique challenges, expectations and duties that come with this. I work with a lot of mums as they navigate matrescence, the ongoing process of becoming a mother, and the often distressing, overwhelming and conflicting feelings that come with this. My passion for supporting mums spurred me into creating Raising Mumâ„¢, a series of therapeutic groups, with the aim to change the narrative around motherhood and empower mums to reach out for the support they deserve!

My approach draws from humanistic person-centred therapy, psychodynamic attachment theory, transactional analysis (TA) and inner child therapy, cognitive and behavioural acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), along with polyvagal theory and neuroscience which bring in the lens of the nervous system. I also work creatively if you choose to, which can not only be transformative and offer language where there are no words, but can also help to externalise trauma or painful feelings and experiences in a way that feels safer to work with.

I offer a FREE, no obligation 20 minute online consultation for us to meet and better understand your needs. 

Following on from our initial consultation, should you wish to book a first session I will forward you a copy of the therapy contract which will outline everything you need to know. There will also be an short assessment to fill out - this is just so I can assess risk as well as track progress during our time together, and getting this all of of the way before your first session means you can make the most of this.

I work with clients weekly or fortnightly, short and long term. I recommend that we begin with a minimum of 6 sessions, so that you have enough time to explore what has brought you to therapy and whether it feels a right fit for you. You are always in charge of sessions and are free to end therapy whenever you wish.