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Acomb Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice is run by Michael and Fran Guilding.  Our purpose–built consulting rooms at Wetherby Road, York are close to the ring road on the west of side of York with easy access to Leeds and Harrogate.  There is a waiting room for clients with its own toilet.  

Fran offers therapy for individuals, couples, children and young people. She works with many issues including relationship problems, depression, anxiety, stress, low self esteem, abuse and bereavement.  

Michael has retired from psychotherapy and clinical supervision but will continue to run training workshops for therapists and other professional caregivers (details can be found on www.michaelguilding.com).   



Michael Guilding

07932 626 919

Fran Guilding


07837 789 564


Michael was a Senior Accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist with 28 years’ post-qualification experience. In his early years as a counsellor he worked for WPF Counselling North in Leeds, The Tuke Centre in York, and The Oakdale Centre in Harrogate.   

He estabished his own private practice in 1997 and also worked within NHS Psychological Therapies Department as Practice Counsellor for the Tadcaster Medical Practice and the Jorvik Medical Practice in  York.  In 2004 he took up the post of Head of Counselling within NHS Psychological Therapies with responsibility for the recruitment and management of counsellors working within GP practices in the York and Selby areas.  In 2007 he also took on the management of the local Primary Care Mental Health Team.

He retired  from the NHS in 2011 and from private practice as a therapist and clinical supervisor in March 2023.

He continues to run training workshops for therapists and other professional caregivers on the biological fear system and its impact on the dynamics of careseeking and caregiving.

For details of these workshops and Michael's thoughts on wellbeing, the fear system and depression see: www.michaelguilding.com

Fran is a BACP Accredited Counsellor, Relate trained and with a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic and Systemic Couple Therapy.  She worked as a counsellor at Relate for over 12 years with couples, individuals and young people.  She has worked in private practice for the past 10 years.

Fran has a background working in schools with children with behavioral problems, and is trained in young people’s counselling. She has provided counselling in schools, and has counselled young people and families as part of the Relate service. 

Fran has started facilitating groups for those in caregiving professions (therapists, social workers, nurses, carers, doctors)  exploring the Dynamics of Attachment in Adult life (McCluskey model).  This model of group work provides a deep but safe and supportive way of thinking about our own lives and attachment styles and those of our clients, particularly how we and they seek care and how this can affect outcomes.