Michaela McCarthy

Michaela McCarthy is the Managing Director of The Awareness Centre and a Director of The Grove Practice in Wimpole Street. She is a qualified Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist, Clinical Supervisor and Organisational Consultant.  She is MBACP Accredited (Member of British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists), FDAP Accredited (Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals) and UKRCP Registered (United Kingdom Register of Counsellors & Psychotherapists).  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 setting up projects and organisations. Michaela also has a real passion for comedy and has embarked on a journey of comedy writing.

About 15 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. 

Training

Michaela trained as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist at The School of Counselling and Psychotherapy at The Whittington Hospital, and as a Clinical Supervisor at CPPD School of Counselling, both in London.  During her extensive clinical training she completed many courses on working with addiction, couples and sexual abuse and has recently finished her training in psychosexual and relationship therapy. Michaela is also 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 Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, Person Centred Practice and Object Relations.  Michaela’s current interest is in Existential theory and practice.  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.  Michaela aims to enrole on a Doctorate in 2010. 

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 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 training to support staff members.

Four 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.

More recently Michaela has joined The Grove Practice in Wimpole Street as the course Director on their addiction Diploma Course which will start at Regents College in Januray 2010.

Michaela has also set up the Recovery Programme at the Centre, because she has a special interest in Addictions and Obsessive Behaviours. However, because of her clinical training professional experince Michaela is interested in clients who are struggling with Sex Addiction and with Relationships.

Michaela has recently set up the Organisational Consultancy Department within the centre with colleagues.   Their decision to set up this department was based on their wealth of experience in business and their familiarity with the multiple challenges of running an organisation and managing staff. In addition, Michaela still works with individuals, couples and groups in private practice in Clapham. She will see clients who experience issues such as;

• Addiction (Alcohol, Drugs, Food, Sex, Gambling, Co-dependency and other compulsive behaviours)
• Dual Diagnoses
• Obsession
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Anger
• Psychosexual and Relationships
• Sexuality
• Abuse (Sexual, Physical, Emotional and Neglect)
• Loss and Bereavement
• Work related issues
• Eating disorders

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.  Also, Michaela offers aftercare to clients who have completed a programme at a 12 step treatment centre, she will also work with families. 
However, should Michaelas private practice be full, Michaela will refer you to colleagues or associates either at The Awareness Centre. 

Fees

Clapham
Therapy
Individuals and Couples - 50 minute session - £75.00
Private HealthCare - £120.00

Clinical Supervision 
Individuals - £60.00
Groups - £30.00

Organisational Consultancy

Individuals - 50 minute session - £150.00                        

Daily rate in the UK and overseas between £600.00 and £2500.00   

Contact 

Private Practice:  Tel - 020 7498 5287  Mob - 07850 282 495 

michaela@theawarenesscentre.com

“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