Melissa Powenski Therapy
I offer 1:1 CBT that is compassionate, collaborative, and firmly grounded in evidence-based practice. As an NMC-registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) and BABCP-accredited CBT therapist, I bring clinical expertise alongside a holistic understanding of mind and body.
My approach may integrate mindfulness, breathwork, and an informed awareness of movement, alongside structured cognitive and behavioural work, to support meaningful and lasting change — tailored to you.
Services
There are different ways to engage in therapy not only from the in person or online perspective, but also, engaging in movement. My services as a Psychotherapist include a style that works for you and can be adapted according to what is needed for you.
Patients have described me as understanding, compassionate, and containing. I combine this warmth and honesty with clinical expertise to offer therapy that is both safe and effective.
Melissa Powenski
One-to-one Therapy
In Person therapy can feel more grounding, allowing connection, safety, and trust to build naturally through shared space. St Albans locations available.
Online Therapy
Online therapy offers flexibility and comfort, allowing meaningful therapeutic work to happen wherever you feel most at ease.
Walk-and-talk Therapy
Walk and talk therapy can support emotional regulation and openness by integrating gentle movement with therapeutic conversation, in person or online.
Melissa Powenski
Key qualifications:
BSc Psychology (Hons)
PGDip Psychoanalytic Observational Studies (Tavistock and Portman)
PGDip Mental Health Nursing
PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist
I’d Love to Help
I Have Experience With…
Psychotherapy
A CBT psychotherapist is a mental health professional who is trained to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — a structured, evidence-based approach that helps people identify and change unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that contribute to emotional difficulties
Neurodivergent Aware
Being neurodivergent-aware as a CBT psychotherapist means that I understand, recognise, and adapt the therapy approach to the experiences and needs of people whose brains process, perceive, or respond to the world differently from what is considered “typical.” This includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or other neurodevelopmental differences.
DBT informed
Dialectic Behaviour Therapy is a particular therapy designed to support those who struggle with self harm and suicidal thoughts. I am DBT-informed and trained which means I integrate skills from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy—like mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance—into therapy to help you manage difficult emotions, improve coping, and build more balanced responses, without focusing on high-risk interventions.
Child and adolescent therapy
I work with children and adolescents using a tailored, age-appropriate approach, while also supporting parents or carers where helpful. This may include guidance, practical strategies, and creating supportive structures at home or school to help the young person thrive.
Anxiety, Stress, and Depression
I regularly work with people experiencing anxiety, stress, low mood, and depression, as well as other common mental health challenges such as worry, panic, obsessive thoughts, perfectionism, and low confidence. My approach is evidence-based, compassionate, and tailored to help you understand your patterns, develop coping strategies, and create meaningful change in your daily life.
My Approach & Philosophy
My approach to therapy is holistic, evidence-based, and client-centred. I believe that understanding your past is important to making sense of patterns that are present now. Focussing a little on the past in the beginning of therapy enables me to then focus on the here and now and supporting lasting change as we work with the whole person—mind, body, and environment.
I combine structured CBT-informed techniques with mindfulness, breathwork, and movement awareness, creating a safe and collaborative space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. My philosophy is that therapy should be person centred, empowering, and tailored to your unique needs, helping you build skills and insights that support meaningful, sustainable change in everyday life.
Resources
Key mental health support services:
Urgent and crisis support:
Call 111 (mental health option) for urgent help and referral guidance across England.
Call 999 or attend A&E if you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm.
Charities/helplines
-
Samaritans: 24/7 emotional support by phone (116 123) or email — a longstanding confidential listening service.
-
Shout (text crisis support): Free, 24/7 text support for distress or crisis (text SHOUT to 85258).
-
Mind: Offers information, advice, local Mind services (face‑to‑face support, advocacy and peer groups) and helplines.
-
SANE: Emotional support and guidance for people affected by mental health problems (SANEline).
-
YoungMinds: Support, information and helplines for young people’s mental health and guidance for parents/carers.
-
Childline: Confidential support for children and young people under 19 (0800 1111).
- Hidden Strength: Free therapy and support with qualified professionals
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!
Get In Touch
If you’re looking for more fitness-related, starting your journey in fitness, please go to this other website
Call
Places I work from
Hours
Tues – Thursday various options in the day and evening.
Saturday: 0930 – 1130