Melinda Chandler

With warmth and respect (and moments of enjoying the lighter side of life), I can help you confront the challenges you’re facing and work out how to move forward with confidence and optimism, improved relationships and a greater sense of fulfilment and enjoyment of life.

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Relational Therapy with Melinda Chandler

These are some of the reasons that clients seek my support:

Life changes and transitions

Some clients seek my support when the life that felt familiar to them is suddenly disrupted by unexpected events. They may be reeling from the shock of relationship breakdown, infidelity, sudden ill health, bereavement, redundancy or job loss – and feeling vulnerable, angry and anxious about the future.

Others may need support as they navigate an altered or new way of life after planned positive transitions such as a new career or job, moving to a different area or country, having children or starting a new relationship.

Work-related problems

I support people when they’re feeling stuck in a job or on a career path that they find unrewarding. Others may be in a constant state of stress, feeling under pressure and in fear of failing or being ‘exposed’ as ‘not up to the job’. Sometimes people need support when their role, company or industry is going through major change, causing uncertainty and anxiety – or when they’re experiencing conflict with colleagues or managers.

Some clients I work with need help when feeling undervalued, overlooked or discriminated against in their workplace. For some, work has become an addiction.

Family and relationship conflict

Often clients need the safe space offered by a non-judgemental professional where they can talk openly about communication problems and conflicts with partners, parents, siblings or children (which could include estrangement and/or partner, sibling or parental alcoholism). I support clients as they explore the root cause of these problems and navigate their own path towards resolution.

Bereavement, grief and loss

Grief can be profoundly painful, confusing and frightening.

I bring my specialist training and ongoing experience of working in an East London bereavement counselling service to help people understand what is happening to them when they experience the loss of someone important.

If you are experiencing grief and the pain of loss, I can be there to support you as you process a range of complicated emotions that might come up which are unique to you and your personal experience of loss and grief. We may also explore ways in which you can start to rebuild your life following the loss.

Identity crisis and existential questions

I work with clients who are feeling confused about their identity. I support them as they explore inner questions about their sense of self and the nature/expectations of their role in their community, family or society.

Together we may explore ways of developing a greater connectedness with one’s ‘true self’, including looking within and thinking about the unique set of values, beliefs and passions that define us as individuals and make us feel ‘at home’ and most alive.

Our work may include exploring aspects of culture, ethnicity, sexuality, gender and neurodiversity. Sometimes my work with clients can find itself following an existential route, responding to nagging questions that come with being human; what does it mean to lead an ‘authentic life’? What does ‘happy’ look like? ‘what is my purpose in life’?

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Areas that I work with include:

• Adult Children of Alcoholics
• Affairs, betrayal and infidelity
• Anger management and conflict
• Anxiety
• Attachment issues
• Bereavement, loss and grief
• Boarding School Syndrome
• Career issues
• Childhood trauma
• Depression
• Disability and difference (visible and invisible)
• Existential anxiety
• Family conflict and difficulties (including estrangement)
• Gender, sexuality and relationship diversity
• Health-related issues
• Identity issues
• Life transitions
• Menopause
• Mother-Daughter relationships
• Relationship issues
• Self-esteem
• Sex related issues
• Stress
• Work related issues

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A bit about me, my qualifications, life experience and therapeutic approach:

I am a fully qualified integrative relational therapist and a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapy (BACP). This professional body sets standards for therapeutic practice and promotes safe, ethical and competent practice.

An ‘integrative’ approach means that I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches, including person-centred, psychodynamic and existential theory to suit each person’s individual needs. ‘Relational’ refers to my belief that the relationship between me and my clients (which can bring laughter as well as tears) is in itself a fundamental part of the healing process.

My previous career, working at a senior level in the media and creative industries, has given me a particular insight into work-related issues and the effects on mental health of pressurised working environments.

In addition to private practice, I volunteer as a bereavement counsellor at a bereavement counselling service in east London.

I welcome diversity in my practice and work with clients from a broad range of cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds.

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Contact Information:

I offer weekly face-to-face sessions or online sessions (daytime and evenings) if preferred. Therapy sessions last for 50 minutes.

I understand how daunting seeking therapy may feel, especially for those with no previous experience of the process, so I try to make all contact from the very first as reassuring and straightforward as possible.

When you contact me, we will arrange a free 20-minute phone or Zoom call to talk about what’s concerning you and how we would work together. We’d then arrange a first session to explore your needs and any specific goals you may have. We’d also agree on the practical aspects of working together.

Melinda’s Contact Details
Mobile & WhatsApp 07980 301416
melchandler23@gmail.com

Rates:

£70 per 50-minute session (in-person or online).

I sometimes have concessionary places available. Please contact me for further details.

Sessions:

Therapy sessions at Barnsbury Therapy Space:
I offer face-to-face therapy at Barnsbury Therapy Space on Monday evenings and at my home practice in Haringey (Green Lanes area) at other times during the week. Please enquire.

Directions to Barnsbury Therapy Space