About Me

Hi and Welcome!

My name is Madison, and I am the founder of Counselling with Madison.

I am a qualified integrative counsellor based in Manchester, UK.

Sometimes life can feel messy, overwhelming or just a little too much. Maybe you’re trying to make sense of something that’s happened, feeling disconnected from yourself, or carrying things that have been difficult to put into words. Whatever has brought you here, there’s no judgement. Just a safe space for you to be your authentic self.

I have a particular interest in Trauma, Anxiety, Adverse life experiences, Chronic illness and Skin conditions and the impact these can have on confidence, identity and everyday life.

I’m a big believer that therapy is all about the therapeutic relationship. We can have honest conversations, explore the difficult stuff, make sense of what’s going on beneath the surface and, when it feels right, have a little laugh along the way too.

I’ll never expect you to have everything figured out before you walk through the door. We’ll work together, at your pace, creating a space where you can feel heard, understood and accepted for exactly where you are.

 

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A young woman with wavy blonde hair smiling, wearing a gray knit sweater, in front of painted wall art.
Online Counselling for Trauma and Chronic Illness

You might be here because..

  • You’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious or constantly stuck in your thoughts

  • You’re struggling with your confidence or how you see yourself

  • You’re finding it difficult to understand or manage your emotions

  • You’re always there for everyone else, but finding it difficult to make space for yourself

  • You’re struggling with boundaries, people-pleasing or relationships

  • You’ve experienced trauma, difficult relationships or challenging experiences

  • You’re going through grief, loss or a big change in your life

  • You feel disconnected from yourself or unsure of who you are

  • You’re living with a chronic health or skin condition and finding that it affects more than just your physical health

  • You’re tired of pretending that everything is okay when it doesn’t feel that way underneath

  • Or maybe you simply feel stuck, lost or overwhelmed, and want somewhere safe to talk.

How I can support you

I work using an integrative approach, which means I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches and techniques to tailor our sessions to you and what you need. I don’t believe therapy should be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ experience, so our work together will be shaped around your individual experiences, needs and goals.

My way of working is influenced by, but not limited to, the following approaches:

  • Person-centred therapy is at the heart of how I work. It is based on the belief that you are the expert in your own life, and that you deserve to be met with warmth, empathy, acceptance and without judgement.

    Rather than telling you what you should do or giving you all the answers, I’ll work alongside you to explore what you’re experiencing and help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself. We can take the time to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences at your own pace, including the parts that might feel difficult to put into words.

    For me, the therapeutic relationship is really important. I want you to feel safe, heard and genuinely understood, so that you have the space to be your authentic self and explore what might be sitting beneath the surface.

  • Trauma can affect us in many different ways, and sometimes its impact can continue long after the experience itself has happened. It can influence how we see ourselves, our relationships, our emotions and even how we feel in our bodies.

    Working in a trauma-informed way means I consider what you may have experienced and how this might be affecting you today. Rather than asking, “What’s wrong with you?”, we can gently explore, “What’s happened to you, and how has this shaped you?”

    I’ll always work at your pace, giving you choice and control over what you share and explore. You don’t have to talk about anything before you feel ready, and there is no expectation that you need to tell your whole story for us to work together.

    For me, trauma-informed therapy is about creating a space where you can feel safe, respected, listened to and understood, while recognising that your responses may have developed as ways of coping with difficult experiences.

  • Sometimes, what we experience emotionally can show up in our bodies too. You might notice your shoulders tensing when you feel anxious, your heart racing when something feels overwhelming, or a heaviness in your chest when you’re upset.

    I gently incorporate elements of somatic work into our sessions, which can help us notice these physical responses and explore what might be happening for you emotionally. This might involve slowing things down, noticing sensations in your body or becoming more aware of what you need in the moment.