About the practice

Counselling that meets you
where you are

The Listening Room Counselling Service has been offering calm, relational support to children, young people, adults, and practitioners since 2012.

Counsellor & Clinical Supervisor

Michelle Welch

Hello, I'm Michelle, an MBACP accredited counsellor and clinical supervisor based in Shropshire. Since 2012, The Listening Room Counselling Service has supported children, young people, adults, and practitioners through professional, compassionate counselling and supervision.

I work as an external provider for a local Academy Trust, supporting both primary and secondary school students, and I am DSL safeguarding trained, strengthening my work across educational and multi-agency settings.

My approach combines person-centred therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), systemic thinking, solution-focused work, and equine-assisted practice. Alongside room-based and online sessions, I also offer equine-assisted counselling with my small herd, whose calm presence adds a unique depth to the therapeutic process.

Whether supporting a child, adult, or practitioner in supervision, my aim is to create a safe, reflective space where people feel understood, supported, and able to grow.

BACP Accredited Member No. 118987 Horses in Education and Therapy International Equine Assisted Services Partnership British Horse Society Member

Registered MBACP (Accredited), No. 118987

Established The Listening Room Counselling Service 2012

EAGALA Certified Practitioner 2016-2025 · HETI Federation Member · EASP Registered

DSL Safeguarding Trained · Trauma-Informed Practice

How I work

My approach

My practice is integrative, drawing on person-centred therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), systemic thinking, solution-focused work, and psychodynamic understanding. I use whatever is most helpful for you, at the pace that feels right.

Person-centred

There is no fixed script. Every session is shaped entirely around you, what you bring, what you need, and what feels right at the time.

Integrative

Drawing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), systemic thinking, solution-focused and psychodynamic approaches, I adapt to you, not the other way around.

Nature-based

The outdoors has a unique power to support emotional wellbeing. Equine-assisted sessions take full advantage of working in a calm, natural setting.

Without judgement

Whatever you bring to a session, you will be met with honesty, warmth, and complete confidentiality. Always at your pace.

The rest of the team

Meet the animals

Horses, dogs, and one very sociable cat. Each one brings their own character, warmth, and therapeutic presence, honest, patient, and non-judgmental in ways that can be surprisingly powerful.

The herd
Becca the Haflinger at The Listening Room
Haflinger · The Heart of the Herd

Becca

Becca embodies warmth from the moment you meet her. Kind, caring, and deeply genuine, she is often the mother of the herd, offering quiet reassurance and steady support. Those who feel anxious, sad, or a little lost are naturally drawn to her. She especially loves working with children and young people.

Crystal the Shetland pony at The Listening Room
Shetland Pony · Our Little Pocket Rocket

Crystal

Crystal arrived alongside Becca in 2015, full of mischief, humour, and big personality packed into a tiny body. She loves being brushed and pampered, but she's never shy about letting you know when something isn't to her liking. Wonderfully expressive and always honest. Crystal never fails to make people smile.

Harley the Haflinger at The Listening Room
Haflinger · The Cheeky One

Harley

Harley joined us as a yearling and is now 12 years old. Full of attitude, curiosity, and charm, which is probably why so many teenagers love working with her. She's mischievous, funny, and always eager to be involved. Harley loves to be the centre of attention and has a wonderful way of drawing everyone in.

Roo the Shetland pony at The Listening Room
Shetland Pony · Our Little Ray of Sunshine

Roo

Roo is a tiny Shetland pony with a huge personality and an even bigger heart. Gentle, kind, and full of warmth, she loves being brushed, pampered, and spending time with children. Her calm nature helps children feel safe and able to connect, often helping them express feelings without needing words.

Marty the pony at The Listening Room
Pony · The Adventurer

Marty

Marty is a happy-go-lucky chap with a heart as big as his personality. Full of fun and always ready for an adventure, he loves heading out on hacks with the girls. With his kind nature and gentle spirit, he adores being brushed, fussed over, and chatted to.

Dogs & cat
Roxy the Labrador at The Listening Room
Chocolate Labrador

Roxy

Roxy has a natural gift for connecting with people of all ages. She has an intuitive way of knowing what each person needs; sometimes it's play and engagement, other times it's quiet companionship. She offers it with her whole heart.

Ace the Cocker Spaniel at The Listening Room
Cocker Spaniel · Newest Member

Ace

Ace approaches every day with boundless enthusiasm and a huge, affectionate heart. He works beautifully with clients who have higher energy. Together, they learn how to slow down, settle, and find calm. Full of fun, curiosity, and classic puppy antics.

Doris the cat at The Listening Room
Cat · The Unexpected Guest

Doris

Doris has a habit of appearing out of nowhere to join a session, much to everyone's delight. You might meet her in the woods as you return from the ponies, or she may greet you as you arrive or leave. A little ray of sunshine who adds an unexpected but very welcome bonus.

The animals are not a gimmick. They are a genuine part of the work, honest, present, and entirely without judgement. Just like every session here.

See how sessions work
Whenever you're ready

There's no rush

Getting in touch doesn't mean committing to anything. Just send a message and I will come back to you within one working day.

Get in touch