Michael Leunig

Michael Leunig is a BACP member and a counsellor and psychotherapist who draws on six years of professional practice. He trained at Salford University and later studied clinical hypnotherapy, and brings his personal experience of depression and anger into his work. He speaks English and German and practices from the United Kingdom.

Michael describes therapy as a way to get unstuck. He works in an approachable, down-to-earth manner and aims to help people let go of past hurts such as grief, childhood trauma, divorce or abuse. Sessions focus on finding practical steps forward rather than lengthy labels or jargon.

His background includes teaching mindfulness and running courses for other therapists, and he has taught clinical hypnotherapy. He has worked with the mental health charity Mind and has experience supporting emergency workers through the Blue Lights scheme. He has also offered Solution-Focused Therapy in NHS surgery settings across the North of England.

In private practice he uses an integrative style, combining client-centred ideas with mindfulness, hypnotherapy and solution-focused techniques. He also draws on elements from transactional analysis, cognitive behaviour work, emotional freedom techniques and life coaching when helpful.

People who come to him often want clear, realistic steps to manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief or difficulties around relationships and separation. He aims to collaborate on goals and helps people identify the answers they already hold, then turn those insights into simple actions.

How his approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy places the client's perspective at the heart of sessions. It involves active listening, reflecting what matters to the client and supporting them to find their own solutions. This approach can help with issues such as low mood, relationship strain and decision-making.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce rumination and calm the nervous system. It often suits people coping with anxiety, stress, chronic pain or seasonal mood changes and can be practised between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and practical needs and then recommend which combination of client-centred listening, mindfulness exercises or hypnotherapy techniques might suit best. This is a collaborative process and choices can be adjusted as therapy progresses.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people join from another town or country since he accepts international clients. The original profile does not list specific session formats, so please confirm current options before booking. Regardless of format chosen, sessions aim to leave people with clear, usable steps they can try between meetings.