Counsellor profile
Michael Purvis, BACP
Counsellor - Stress and anxiety
See online counselling options- CBT methods
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Attachment focus
About Michael
Counsellor Michael Purvis is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) with three years' experience. He works in the United Kingdom and focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, self-esteem, depression and coaching. He also lists areas such as abandonment, attachment issues and challenges linked to adoption or foster care.
Michael offers short, clear sessions that centre on talking through what is happening now and what a person wants to change. He uses straightforward approaches from cognitive behavioural work and acceptance and commitment methods to help with anxious thoughts and low mood. He also uses attachment-based and client-centred ways of working to look at how early relationships affect current patterns.
In practice he helps people manage panic, phobias, obsessive-compulsive features, stress and burnout. He also supports those dealing with loss of purpose after retirement, redundancy or long-term illness. Practical goal-setting is part of his work for areas like career, health and work-life balance.
Sessions aim to identify patterns that maintain distress and test small changes in everyday life. He blends talking, noticing thoughts and behaviours, and setting simple experiments between sessions. Conversations are direct and paced to each person’s needs.
Michael works in plain English and asks people to bring one or two concerns to the first meeting. He explains approaches and next steps so it is clear what a few sessions might involve. This helps people decide whether to continue and how to shape future work together.
Therapeutic approaches and remote counselling
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice unhelpful thoughts without getting led by them. It often suits those struggling with anxiety, rumination or low mood who want practical ways to act on personal values.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy looks at thoughts and behaviours that keep problems going. It is commonly used for panic, phobias, obsessive thinking and stress by teaching skills to test and change unhelpful patterns.
Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on relationships and early patterns that shape current ways of relating. It can help when difficulties in close relationships, abandonment or attachment questions are a central concern.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss methods that fit a person's goals and preferences and adjust the plan together. Sessions combine talking, simple exercises and practical tasks to try between meetings.
Confirm which session formats are offered before booking, as specific options are not stated here. Online counselling can make it easier to fit appointments around work, family or mobility limits and can reduce travel time. Some formats also allow short check-ins or sessions without video if that helps with bandwidth or a quieter set-up.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
3+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What problems does he help with most often?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, self-esteem, depression and coaching goals. Additional focus areas include abandonment, attachment issues and challenges from adoption or foster care.
What is his style of counselling?
He uses practical, talk-based sessions. Methods include cognitive behavioural techniques, acceptance and commitment ideas, attachment-based work and client-centred approaches.
How long has he been practising?
He has three years of counselling experience and lists work across anxiety, stress and goal-setting areas.
Which professional body is he a member of?
He is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, shown as BACP.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he work with clients outside the UK?
International clients are not currently accepted. He works with people located in the United Kingdom.
How are sessions arranged and paid for?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. Exact fees are shown during the booking process.
How do I begin with him?
Start by selecting the See online counselling options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.
Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.