MELISSA DUNLOP, MA, MSC, BSC, HIP DIP, UKCP REG.D
My therapeutic approach is relationally based, grounded in the psychoanalytic and humanistic traditions, and informed by developmental psychology, neuroscience, and awareness of psychosomatic processes. This broad base of theoretical understanding enables me to take what’s best from different perspectives and work with each client according to their need. I consider psychotherapy to be an artful process; arts theories and practices underpin my understanding of how new thinking arises - that is, how change is generated through the creative-relational engagement of client and practitioner.
I offer grounding, acceptance, warmth, humour, a playful imagination and non-judgmental open-mindedness, allowing you space to set the agenda and to use the therapeutic relationship to reflect upon and learn about your own life experiences and psychological processes in ways that are meaningful to you.
ONLINE PRACTICE
Online psychotherapy has become commonplace since the pandemic began, allowing rapid development and understanding around the practical and theoretical adjustments that are needed to make it work well.
I try to ensure that my clients' experiences are optimised by creating a safe and personable online atmosphere, where we can achieve a good enough sense of human presence and connection to allow therapeutic work to take place in spite of our physical separation.
QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Currently working towards a (UKCP recognised) Diploma in Creative Supervision (London College of Psychodrama)
PhD (in submission, University of Edinburgh, Centre for Creative-Relational Inquiry)
MA Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (Bath Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy and Middlesex University)
MSc Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology (Anna Freud Centre and University College London)
BSc Hons Experimental Psychology (University College London)
Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling Skills (Westminster Pastoral Foundation)
UKCP Registered Practitioner working in private practice since 2010. Last reaccredited October 2020
BCPC Affiliated Member Approved therapist for trainee counsellors and psychotherapists
GROUP FACILITATION AND COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE
I facilitate an online narrative inquiry group concerned with enabling and allowing relational presence and depth in an online context
I also facilitate ‘Intervision’, online peer supervision at Stillpoint Spaces International, for qualified practitioners
I am an active member of CANI-NET (Collaborative Artful Narrative Inquiry Network) and manage their regular 'Open Space' online sessions
ACADEMIC AND OTHER
Course Tutor - Psychotherapy (Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling)
Research Tutor (Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling)
Previously, I have been a Teaching Fellow at University of Edinburgh and practiced as a psychotherapist within the Community Mental Health Services team at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Before that I worked in charities, research development and publishing
PUBLICATIONS
Collaborating author in D. Kirkpatrick, S. Porter, J. Speedy & J. Wyatt (ed.s) (2021). Artful Collaborative Inquiry: Making and Writing Creative, Collaborative Research. London: Routledge.
Dunlop, M. with Del Negro, G. de Munck, K., Gale, K., Mackay, S., Price, M., Sakellariadis, A., Soler, G, Speedy, J. & van Hove, G. (2020) ‘Something Happened in the Room: Conceptualising intersubjectivation’. International Review of Qualitative Research. Special Issue: Activism and/in the Academy
Dunlop, M (2019). ‘Like the Moon Rising: Standing in the Brexit Dawn’. International Review of Qualitative Inquiry. Special Issue: Trump, Brexit, and the Rise of the Global Right: Qualitative Researchers Respond. Spring 2019, Vol. 12 issue 1, pages 17-26.
PERSONAL
I live with my family and various cats who sometimes appears in online sessions. I love cooking, reading, music and the arts, long meandering walks and adventures. I write.