About Positive Change

Dr. Melanie Phelps BSc.(Hons). MA. MSc. PhD.

You need someone warm and supportive, yet suitably qualified and experienced to help you.
I hope I can offer a unique depth and breadth of experience which gets the balance right for each person who comes to see me.

I originally qualified as a Nurse, then left to do a psychology degree and changed direction, working in Human Resources for 6 years. Following this I went back into nursing at the local NHS hospital then as a GP / practise nurse. I recognised tablets were sometimes too easily prescribed and what seemed more valuable to patients was time to talk, ask questions, get explanations and feel  reassured. This led me onto a foundation course in Counselling and  Hypnotherapy. Initially I was working one day a week at a therapy centre and then left to set up a full time private therapy practice with a colleague. Since then I have gone on to do additional qualifications to become a Chartered Psychologist. I now spend most of my time seeing private clients. I also work up to 7 days a month as a Tutor on an  Open University accredited Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapy and am developing a range self help books / CD's & resources.

My experience to date has included: Harley Street Practice, 10 month placement in a male medium-secure prison, 3 years working in a Women's Centre with abused women, working as a practitioner for the National Centre for Eating Disorders, a volunteer for Cruse bereavement service, placement with a community mental health team within the NHS, working with youths and teens (Eating Disorders, Anti Bullying Group in schools), working as a telephone counsellor and teaching Assertiveness and Confidence Building workshops with Surrey Heath Adult Education.

 

Click here for a free, no obligation consultation (bring a friend / partner if you wish) and start to make positive changes in your life.

Qualifications:

• Bsc.(Hons) (Bachelors degree) Psychology
• MSc (Masters Degree) & Post Masters Diploma in Counselling Psychology
• MA (Masters Degree) in Behavioural Therapy* 
• PhD (Doctoral Degree) in Clinical Hypnotherapy*
• Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development Diploma (CIPD)
• Practitioner Diploma in Obesity Management & Eating Disorders
• Level A (Aptitude) & Level B (Personality) Qualified Psychometric Test Administrator

(*Obtained from the US., all others are from the UK)

I have also completed various other short courses in couples & relationship therapy, coaching, bereavement, addictions, trauma, nutrition for eating disorders, being a Psychological / Legal expert witness / legal report writing, and clinical supervision as well as NLP, EFT, and EMDR.

I am a member of the following organisations:

• British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Health Professions Council (HPC)
• British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
• National Council for Psychotherapists (NCP)
• Institute of Stress Management Association (ISMA)
• National Register of Advanced Hypnotherapists ((NRAH)
• Eating Disorders Association (B-eat)

Media

• Appearance on Sky TV Real Lives & Sky TV website interview (psychological aspects of Size Zero 2008) Watch film here
• Interviewed for and quoted in the Guardian Weekend Magazine (Cat phobia article 2004)
• Provided psychological input into latest advertising campaign for Weight Watchers (2008)
• “Psychologies” Magazine (2009)