Michaela McCarthy MBACP | Counsellor & Psychotherapist

“I believe that somewhere inside us all we know what we need and how to get it. We all possess an inner life force, urging us to develop and grow. To be alive is to move and change, it is an ongoing process.” Michaela McCarthy

Michaela McCarthy is the Managing Director of The Awareness Centre. She is a qualified Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist, Addictions Specialist, Trainer and Clinical Supervisor.

She is MBACP Snr. Accred. (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists), FDAP Accredited (Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals) and UKRCP Registered (United Kingdom Register of Counsellors & Psychotherapists).

Michaela is a Member of COSRT (College of Sex and Relationship Therapy), an Associate Member of the Royal Society of Medicine, a Member of the British Associate of Sexual Educators, a Member of AHPP Association for Humanistic Psychology Practitioners and a member of the Irish Forum for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Michaela was born in the UK and her heritage is second generation Irish. Before training as a therapist she worked extensively in business and describes herself as an entrepreneur who enjoys the challenge of corporate enterprise. Michaela also has a real passion for comedy and hopes to embark on a journey of comedy writing when the time feels right.

About 16 years ago Michaela found herself unsatisfied with life and realised that she had somehow lost her direction and passion. Her response was to enter therapy to explore her issues and embark upon a journey of self discovery. As her values, feelings and frame of reference slowly changed she became more interested in therapeutic work and enrolled on a course to train in counselling and psychotherapy.

'I’ve been seeing Michaela for over a year and my interactions with her and the process of therapy has helped me immensely. I was blown away by the positive and profound effects from the very first session – it was as if a light had been turned on and suddenly I could see everything so much more clearly. While the Awareness Centre came highly recommended, this was my first experience with therapy and I really wasn’t expecting such a constructive and life-changing effect. I would recommend Michaela wholeheartedly to anyone and my weekly sessions are a real highlight – a bit like a tune-up that sets me up for the week.' Kylie, London

Michaela is a registered provider of all Healthcare Insurance companies including, BUPA, Aviva, AXA PPP, Standard Life, Pru Health, WPA and Cigna. However, should Michaela’s private practice be full, Michaela will refer you to either an internal or external clinical associate at The Awareness Centre. However to use your private medical healthcare then you will need a referral from your GP. I suggest Dr Paul Heenan who works in Clapham, his contact number is 07808 728 941 and his fee is £40. If you require a psychiatric assessment and medication management then please contact Roger Howells.

Training

Michaela trained as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist at The School of Counselling and Psychotherapy at The Whittington Hospital, as a Clinical Supervisor at CPPD School of Counselling and as a Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist at Regents College. During her extensive clinical training she completed many courses on working with addiction, couples, sexual abuse and CBT.

Michaela is an integrative practitioner which means that she has combined many theories of thought and has found her own style of working as a therapist. Her training has been in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic, Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, Person Centred Practice and Object Relations. Michaela’s current interest is in Existential theory and practice as well as a psychoanalytic approach to therapy.

Above all, she believes that the most important part of therapy is the relationship between client and therapist and that this relational process enables developmental growth and change.

Work

Michaela has worked extensively within the private and voluntary sector. She has worked in private practice with individuals and couples in Harley Street and Clapham and has run many therapy and training groups over the years with different colleagues as well as managing counselling services throughout London.

One of those counselling services is Faces in Focus, an organisation that works with young people between the ages of 13 and 25. She developed both the individual and group supervision structure within the organisation to clinically support the counsellors and psychotherapists as well as running workshops and courses to support staff members. Michaela has also managed a twelve-step treatment day programme and worked alongside care managers from many local authorities throughout London who support clients with drug and alcohol problems.

Seven years ago Michaela set up The Awareness Centre - the realisation of her desire to create an organisation which would incorporate most of her personal and professional experiences. Her vision is to share her knowledge and make it accessible to all who want to embark on a journey of self discovery and change. With the support of a very experienced and robust team Michaela has been able to develop each department within The Awareness Centre to a very high standard. Michaela and her team are dedicated to the Centre and carefully nurture the development of each Department and Clinic. Michaela believes in the clinical, medical and complementary approaches of health to support an individual's well being.

Michaela is currently developing The Awareness Centre’s Directory Service and NHS clinical services. She also works in private practice with individuals, couples and groups in Clapham, South London and Duke Street, Mayfair and will see clients/patients who will benefit from the following support; Counselling and Psychotherapy, Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy, Addiction Aftercare and Clinical Supervision.

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Abuse (Sexual, Physical, Emotional and Neglect)
Addiction (Alcohol, Drugs, Food, Sex, Gambling, Co-dependency and other compulsive behaviours)
Anger
Anxiety
Depression
Domestic Violence
Dreams
Dual Diagnoses
Eating Disorders
Guilt

Isolation
Loss and Bereavement
Obsession
Panic Attacks
Personal Development
PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Self Esteem
Self Harm
Shame
Stress
Suicidal Thoughts
Trauma (Child and Adult)
Work related issues

Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy

Affairs
Anorgasmia
Communication
Dyspareunia
Erection Problems
Gender Identity
Intimacy
IVF
Loss of Sexual Desire and Libido
Miscarriage
Pornography

Premature Ejaculation
Rape
Relationships (including same sex)
Retarded Ejaculation
Sex and Love Addiction
Sexual Abuse
Sexuality
Sex After Childbirth
Vaginismus

Initially Michaela meets clients for an assessment and if both agree to work together then she will offer the client a further 5 sessions. After the initial 6 sessions, there is a discussion to review the process of the work and to decide if therapy will continue into longer-term work. Michaela tends to specialise more in longer-term therapy however only tends to work up to one year with couples. Michaela also works more than once a week with clients/patients and will offer up to three sessions per week.

Addiction Aftercare Therapy

Michaela offers aftercare to clients who have completed a twelve step residential or day treatment programme either within the UK or overseas. During these sessions clients will work on relapse prevention, twelve steps, relationships, family, inner child issues and structured goals. Clients will be encouraged to attend at least three meetings per week which will also support their recovery.

Michaela also works with dual diagnosis and will refer clients to see a psychiatrist for medication management. In addition Michaela works with clients who have been in recovery for some time and who wants to explore deeper issues.

Private Health Care

Michaela is a registered provider of all Healthcare Insurance companies including, BUPA, Aviva, AXA PPP, Standard Life, Pru Health, WPA and Cigna. However, should Michaela’s private practice be full, Michaela will refer you to either an internal or external clinical associate at The Awareness Centre.

Clinical Working Hours

Clapham - 36 Broadhinton Road, London SW4 0LT
Monday	8am - 1pm
Tuesday	8am – 12pm and 4pm - 7pm
Friday	8am - 2pm
Mayfair - 3-5 Duke Street Mayfair London W1U 3ED
Thursday	8am - 12pm

Fees

Therapy in Clapham
Individuals and couples, 50 minute session - £90

Therapy in Duke Street, Mayfair
Individuals and couples, 50 minutes session - £130

Private Health Care
Clapham and Mayfair £130

Clinical Supervision
Clapham and Mayfair £90

Training
Daily rate £700

Workshops
Fees variable

'When I first went to see Michaela I was in such a state of anxiety and depression that I needed to be carefully looked after otherwise I would have been sectioned, fact. If someone had told me that two years into therapy I would be engaged and doing what I love best, I would never have believed it. I think it is pretty clear how much I have benefited from therapy however therapy is not a quick fix. I have only managed to change because I wanted to.

I still suffer from anxiety occasionally but with Michaela's help I am able to manage it. So rather my anxiety lasting months and being so acute that I cannot leave my house, I have a few weeks of displeasure and am still able to function at drama school (which I never would have had the confidence to audition for let alone attend if I had not been through therapy).

I find it interesting that Michaela states she "believes that somewhere inside us all we know what we need and how to get it" and that is exactly what Michaela has done for me. She has enabled me to really establish who I am and what my goals are. She doesn't allow me to constantly deny myself and my feelings which lead me to implode and become acutely anxious.

I think everyone can benefit from therapy but it really depends on the therapist. For me Michaela is perfect and I hope to be seeing her for at least another ten years. All my illusions verified by silly films of therapists asking you "how does that make you feel?" could not be further from the truth with Michaela because she is straight talking, caring and for me, a life saver' Lydia