About Umbrella Counselling
Mission Statement
We acknowledge the importance of being believed.
We accept that everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race and religion/beliefs is entitled to be heard and be empowered.
We, at Umbrella Counselling believe in employing integrity within our service, by demonstrating fairness, honesty, reliability, openness, impartiality and compassion.
Our Values
Belong
Equality
LGBT Champions
Integrity
Empower
Fairness
Michelle Tasker
BA (hons)
MNCS (ACCR)
ABC Awards level 4 diploma therapeutic counselling
Degree in Counselling Solutions
Michelle is currently in her final year of MSc in Contemporary Psychosexual Therapy and is a student member of COSRT.
Co-founder of Umbrella Counselling
Experienced sexual trauma therapist
LGBTQ+ champion
Michelle is an integrative therapist specialising in sexual trauma. She is focussing her ongoing professional development around the provision of a safe service for the LGBTQ+ community. Michelle has experience working with transgender clients and is the company advisor on gender equality. Having worked for the Red Cross, supporting survivors of The Grenfell fire Michelle received the Dunant Award for UK emergencies 2017, along with a certificate of commendation. Michelle is passionate about providing good quality counselling to meet the needs of our clients.
Katherine Brown
MNCS (ACCR)
ABC Awards level 4 diploma Therapeutic Counselling
Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
NCS Accredited Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Supervision
Co-founder of Umbrella Counselling
Experienced sexual trauma therapist
Child counselling champion
Katherine is a person-centred therapist specialising in sexual trauma, her ongoing professional development is focussed on providing a quality service for children and young people who have experienced child sexual assault. Katherine has experience working with young people, transgender clients and those on the autistic spectrum. Being acutely aware of the lack of affordable counselling within Lincolnshire, Katherine is committed to establishing a service to fill the gap.
Our Vision
To provide affordable counselling,
which is Inclusive and promotes improved mental well-being.
We do not discriminate against gender or sexual orientation, offering an equal service for all. Our service is available to adults and young people aged 13 and over.
We can help with:
People who have experienced sexual abuse and or rape and their families.
People who have experienced domestic abuse/ abusive relationships.
People experiencing anxiety and depression including self harm and suicidal feelings and thoughts.
People with complex mental health needs.
Anger issues
Low self esteem
Umbrella Counselling believes in providing low cost, ethical therapy which is accessible and affordable, in the hope of filling the gap between health services and the private sector.
Sexual Abuse and Rape
Our aim is to work in a way to help victims understand what has happened, using appropriate information, within a relaxed environment, and in a friendly manner. We work with all victims to empower them to report (if that is what they want) and help their families understand the process. Our counsellors are trained in pre-trail therapy and can continue counselling throughout the court process.
Having worked previously with victims of rape and sexual violence, the founders have gathered sufficient understanding of the needs and demands of this sector and will use that information to provide this vital service.
The organisation will work collaboratively with other service providers and the OPCC victim provider workshop to avoid duplication of services and to identify areas of need within Lincolnshire.
We have an induction program for our volunteers and intend to work collaboratively with local colleges to provide counselling placements for suitable students.
Our History
Michelle and Katherine were lead counsellors for a local charity at the time of its sudden closure in September 2019. The charity had provided free counselling for survivors of rape and sexual violence.
Unable to save the charity the pair formed Umbrella Counselling East Midlands in order to provide a service for the same client group.
Initially providing a service to Lincoln University, they decided to expand and look for premises in Grantham.
Umbrella Counselling East Midlands CIC was incorporated and registered with Companies' House in February 2020, with a view to becoming fully operational on 1st May 2020. This start was delayed until July 27th 2020 due to Covid 19.
July 2022 - Umbrella Counselling outgrew their original premises and moved to a much larger place with the addition of disabled access.
On 19th October 2022 Umbrella Counselling was granted charity status by the Charity commission.
Michelle and Katherine have met lots of people who have helped and advised them throughout the setting up process. Philip Marshall is one of those people. He is an experienced counsellor and supervisor and he gave Umbrella 2 years of guidance before moving on to pastures new.
