Michael Purvis, BACP

Michael Purvis is a counsellor with three years' experience who aims to help people make sense of difficult thoughts and habits. He focuses on anxiety, stress, low mood and relationship difficulties, and he also supports people working towards practical goals in work and life. Michael meets people where they are and talks through what is getting in the way of everyday functioning and wellbeing.

He works with a range of anxiety-related problems including obsessive-compulsive difficulties, panic and phobias, and stress or burnout from work. He also supports people facing anger issues, trouble socialising, and problems forming or keeping relationships. Concerns linked to retirement, redundancy, long-term illness, or occupational trauma are also within his practice.

Michael uses approaches that look at thoughts, behaviours and values. He helps people notice unhelpful habits and try new ways of responding. Sessions often focus on small, achievable steps that fit into daily life and build toward clearer goals in areas like career, health and relationships.

He pays attention to attachment patterns and how early experiences shape current reactions, while also using practical cognitive tools to challenge unhelpful thinking. The work is conversational and collaborative - the client sets the pace and priorities.

Michael is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP. He practises in the United Kingdom and sees people in English. If you want to explore whether his way of working fits your needs, follow the site’s process to start a short questionnaire and arrange a first session.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters to them and take small actions that match those values. It is useful for anxiety, low mood and when thoughts feel stuck. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and teaches practical techniques to test and change unhelpful thinking. It often suits people wanting clear tools to manage panic, phobias or worry. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to early relationship patterns and how they influence current interactions and trust; it can help with relationship difficulties and feelings of abandonment.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss your needs, goals and preferences and suggest which methods to try first. This is a collaborative process and adjustments are made as you go along.

Confirm the exact session formats before booking, as those details are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work and family life, reduce travel time and allow more frequent short check-ins when needed. It can also suit people who prefer to talk from a familiar setting or who need a lower‑effort option than attending in person. Registered or accredited professionals can adapt these approaches to work well through remote appointments, helping you apply techniques between sessions.