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 youโre trying to make sense of something thatโs happened, feeling disconnected from yourself, or carrying things that have been difficult to put into words. Whatever has brought you here, thereโs 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.
Iโm a big believer that therapy is all about the therapeutic relationship. We can have honest conversations, explore the difficult stuff, make sense of whatโs going on beneath the surface and, when it feels right, have a little laugh along the way too.
Iโll never expect you to have everything figured out before you walk through the door. Weโll 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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You might be here because..
Youโre feeling overwhelmed, anxious or constantly stuck in your thoughts
Youโre struggling with your confidence or how you see yourself
Youโre finding it difficult to understand or manage your emotions
Youโre always there for everyone else, but finding it difficult to make space for yourself
Youโre struggling with boundaries, people-pleasing or relationships
Youโve experienced trauma, difficult relationships or challenging experiences
Youโre going through grief, loss or a big change in your life
You feel disconnected from yourself or unsure of who you are
Youโre living with a chronic health or skin condition and finding that it affects more than just your physical health
Youโre tired of pretending that everything is okay when it doesnโt 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 donโt believe therapy should be a โone-size-fits-allโ 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:
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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, Iโll work alongside you to explore what youโre 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.
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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, โWhatโs wrong with you?โ, we can gently explore, โWhatโs happened to you, and how has this shaped you?โ
Iโll always work at your pace, giving you choice and control over what you share and explore. You donโt 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.
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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 youโre 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.