Real Stories. Genuine Experiences.
The experiences of the people we work with speak louder than anything we could say ourselves. We are incredibly grateful for every individual, organisation, and community that has trusted Melanie Talks to support their learning and personal growth journey.
Thank you for being part of our community and allowing us to make a positive difference together.
“I had therapy with Melanie when I was at a very unsteady time in my life, suffering with health anxiety and panic attacks.
Melanie was extremely professional and comforting from the outset, our sessions were CBT focused and it has completely changed my mindset about anxiety.
Melanie taught me that everything that was happening was totally natural and gave me effective tools to manage my anxiety, which I still use today.
One of the simplest, yet biggest, takeaways from our sessions was when I used to explain my panic episodes and Melanie was simple say ‘and what happened next’ and the answer was always that the panic feeling would subside and it always did.
My first session with Melanie I was at a stage in my life where I couldn’t get on a train to London without panicking and after one my last sessions with Melanie I got on a plane and flew to Morocco!
I was trapped in my own head and Melanie provided the tools to freedom and I couldn’t recommend her any higher.
Thank you, Melanie”
“I have been working with Mel for over four years, and it has been one of the most worthwhile investments I have ever made in myself.
During that time, she has supported me through a difficult breakup, recovery from narcissistic abuse, depression, panic attacks, and ongoing personal development. Her CBT expertise is exceptional, but what stands out most is the safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment she creates.
Mel has helped me understand my thoughts, behaviours, and patterns in ways that have transformed how I approach life. She has given me the tools, confidence, and perspective to navigate challenges more effectively and make positive, lasting changes.
If you’re considering therapy, I cannot recommend Mel highly enough. Whether you’re facing a specific challenge or simply want to understand yourself better, she has a remarkable ability to make you feel heard, supported, and empowered. I genuinely credit much of the life I have built and am proud of today to the work we have done together.”
“Before working with Mel, my agoraphobia had completely taken over my life. Simple things that most people take for granted, like going to the shops, felt impossible. I would often become overwhelmed with anxiety and cry at the thought of leaving the house. I was having panic attacks daily and could no longer see my friends. My world had become very small, and I genuinely couldn’t imagine living the life I have now.
Through Mel’s patience, kindness, and expertise, she helped me challenge fears that I had carried for years. She never pushed me faster than I could manage, but she also helped me realise that I was capable of so much more than I believed. Step by step, she helped me rebuild my confidence and trust in myself.
The difference in my life since therapy is hard to put into words. I now work full-time without any issues, something that once felt completely out of reach. I’ve travelled independently, explored places I never thought I’d be brave enough to visit, and even achieved my scuba diving qualifications on my own—something that would have seemed impossible when my anxiety was at its worst.
What Mel gave me was far more than strategies to manage anxiety. She gave me my independence back. She helped me reclaim opportunities, experiences, and a future that I thought my agoraphobia had taken away from me.
I will always be grateful for the role she played in helping me get my life back. If you’re struggling with anxiety or agoraphobia and wondering whether things can get better, I am living proof that they can. Working with Mel was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
“I found Melanie at a time when I had hit rock bottom. I was so anxious and experiencing thoughts that I couldn’t control. Having seen many therapists in the past, I couldn’t have been more delighted that Melanie had such expertise in her field and was able to identify my thoughts as being associated with OCD. This was a huge weight off of my shoulders having been previously misdiagnosed by professionals inexperienced in the field of mental health.
My sessions with Melanie were built on trust, reassurance, understanding and enabled me to regain control of my mind and manage my thoughts rather than the other way round. I really can’t thank and recommend her enough for helping me to get my life back on track. I still refer to my ‘blueprint’ several years on if I am having a wobble!”
“Working with Melanie came at a time in my life where honestly, my brain just would not slow down. I was navigating a lot around my transition, how I saw myself, how I thought other people saw me, and trying to exist in a world that suddenly felt overwhelming all the time. I was overthinking everything. Conversations. Situations. Safety. The future. Even simple day-to-day interactions could spiral in my head for hours.
From the very first session, Melanie made me feel genuinely comfortable and safe to speak openly without fear of judgement. I actually remember sitting in the chair furthest away from her during that first appointment because I was so anxious and closed off. By the second session, I naturally sat in the chair closest to her without even thinking about it. That probably says more than anything else I could write.
She has such a calm, understanding and grounding presence and was an incredible listener throughout. The CBT techniques really helped me challenge some of the unhealthy thinking patterns and spirals I had fallen into, but it never felt cold or clinical. It felt human. I always felt heard as a person first.
What stood out most was how easy she made it feel to talk honestly, even about the things I found difficult, embarrassing or emotional. There was never pressure, never judgement, and never a feeling that I had to explain myself.
Therapy with Melanie genuinely helped me through one of the most overwhelming periods of my life and gave me tools and ways of thinking that I still carry with me now. I’ll always be grateful for the support, patience and kindness she showed me during that time.”
“Melanie’s friendly and supportive approach made me feel comfortable from the very start of my CBT journey. I am so grateful for her kindness and expertise.
CBT has been life-changing, I’ve gained practical tools, confidence and a much healthier mindset.
Would (and have many times!) recommend.”
“Working with Melanie was a really positive and helpful experience for me. Through CBT, I learnt a lot about myself, my thought patterns, and how my habits were affecting my wellbeing. Melanie helped me build routines and coping strategies that genuinely made me feel better day to day and more confident in myself.
I also felt very comfortable and supported throughout the therapy process, which made it much easier to open up and work through previous issues. Overall, Melanie helped me leave a lot of things in the past and move forward in a much healthier and happier mindset.”
“I started CBT following a difficult period in my life that had left me struggling with anxiety. Working with Mel helped me develop a much better understanding of how my mind works, why I think in certain ways, and, importantly, what I can do to challenge and change those thought patterns. She was always warm, approachable and professional, while also being willing to challenge me when needed, which I found incredibly valuable. The tools and techniques I learned have stayed with me long after therapy ended and I continue to use them in everyday life. As a result, I have been able to tackle situations that I previously found difficult and experience far less anxiety. I would highly recommend her to anyone considering CBT – she is both highly professional and genuinely personable. ”
“Working with Melanie through multiple sessions of CBT was incredibly valuable. She created a supportive, understanding and non-judgemental environment where I felt comfortable being open and honest.
The CBT approach helped me better understand my thoughts, emotions and behaviours, and gave me practical tools and techniques that I still use every day to manage anxiety, stress and life’s setbacks. I found the sessions both insightful and empowering, and I came away feeling far more equipped to cope with challenges in a healthier way.
I’m very grateful for the support and guidance Melanie provided throughout the therapy process and would highly recommend her to anyone considering CBT”