Carlie Machell-Kay

Carlie Machell-Kay is a psychodynamic counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, parenting worries, and struggles with self-esteem or depression. She is comfortable addressing issues such as addiction, grief, intimacy-related concerns, anger, and coping with life changes. Carlie also supports people with ADHD, compassion fatigue and a range of attachment or adoption-related concerns.

Carlie trained as a therapist seven years ago and brings seven years of practice as a qualified psychodynamic counsellor. Before qualifying she worked for many years in related roles, including work in women's mental wellbeing and domestic abuse settings. That long background informs how she sees repeated patterns and the effects of past relationships on present life.

In sessions Carlie uses psychodynamic approaches to look at how early relationships and experiences shape thoughts and feelings today. She combines this with client-centred listening so the work stays focused on each person's needs. Narrative therapy ideas are also used to help people reframe their life stories and make different choices.

Carlie has direct experience of neurodiversity and brain injury, and she says this helps her understand the practical impacts some people and their families face. She aims to be approachable and to tailor therapy to what each person finds useful.

Clients can expect a conversational style that pays attention to patterns, emotions and practical changes. Carlie draws on trauma-focused work when past abuse or hurt is part of the picture, while keeping goals and day-to-day coping in view.

Approaches that shape online counselling

Psychodynamic therapy looks at how past relationships and early experiences influence current thoughts, feelings and behaviour. It can help when patterns repeat across relationships or when past hurts keep resurfacing. Client‑centred therapy focuses on listening and responding to what the person needs in the moment, and can help people feel heard and supported as they work through issues.

Deciding which approach to use is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences and what feels most helpful. Together they will try different ways of working and adapt the approach if needed so the sessions stay useful and relevant.

If you are considering online therapy, check the current session options before booking as the biography does not list formats. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check‑ins when that suits the day. They can also offer more flexibility for people who live far from local services or who need to schedule sessions around work or caring responsibilities.