Somatic-Therapists

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Melisha Pillay, BACP

A warm counsellor who blends body and mind approaches

MP Portrait of Melisha Pillay

About Melisha

Melisha Pillay is a counsellor who brings four years of practice to sessions. She creates a calm space where people can begin again. Her style is warm, direct and values-led, with honesty and empathy at the core.

She aims to help people find greater confidence and reconnect with what feels meaningful. Sessions focus on practical steps and creative ways to move from stuckness toward change. Melisha encourages clients to use their own beliefs and values as part of that work.

Book with Melisha Now Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

Background and approach

Her approach draws on body-based somatic ways of working alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and cognitive techniques. That combination is used to help with stress, anxiety, grief and trauma, and with practical life problems such as career strain, sleeping difficulties and addictive behaviours.

Melisha also supports people dealing with relationship and intimacy issues, parenting stress, compassion fatigue and neurodiverse concerns such as ADHD or autism-related challenges. She lists experience with a wide range of issues including self-esteem, bipolar mood concerns, chronic illness and caregiving stress. Sessions are offered in English and Melisha works with clients in the United Kingdom and internationally.

She is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP, and uses a mix of talking, creative exercises and body-awareness techniques to help people make tangible changes.

How therapeutic approaches work online

Somatic-informed work focuses on body awareness and gentle movement to notice how stress and emotion show up in the body. It can help people who feel disconnected from their sensations or who carry tension, and it is used alongside talking to open up different routes to change.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings while clarifying what matters most to them. It uses small, practical steps aimed at living a more value-driven life and can be useful for anxiety, depression and life transitions.

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns that formed in past relationships and how they show up now. This approach helps people understand how they connect and communicate, and supports shifts in relationship habits and emotional safety.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose techniques that fit their needs, goals and preferences. That means trying things gently and adjusting based on what helps most in real sessions.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text messaging. These formats make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and time zones, and allow people to continue work from home or while travelling. Many clients find the range of options helps them stay consistent with the process and use therapy in ways that suit their daily life.
Book with Melisha Now Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

Frequently asked questions

What issues can Melisha help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression and trauma-related concerns, plus relationship and intimacy difficulties. Other areas listed include grief, addictions, sleep and eating problems, parenting strain and career stress.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is warm and direct, with a focus on honesty and empathy. Sessions often blend talking with creative and body-based exercises to help people move forward.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Melisha has four years of experience working as a counsellor. That time has included helping clients with a wide range of emotional and practical challenges.
What professional credentials does she hold and where is she based?
She is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP, and is based in the United Kingdom.
Can I work with her if I live outside the UK?
Yes. She accepts international clients and provides sessions in English.
Which session formats are offered?
Sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Experience
4 years
Licensed
Languages
English