25 years’ experience of working with:
Addiction & recovery
Anger management
Conflict management
Dealing with difficult conversations/confidence building
Relationship issues
Feeling dissatisfied at work
Risk-taking behaviours
Reflective practice with staff groups
Self-medicating (e.g., with alcohol/drugs) to cope with difficult feelings
About me and the service:
I have a relationship centred app
roach to my work as a Life Coach & Counsellor. What this means is I fundamentally believe that individuals exist through their relationships with others and their environment. Whether this be body, mind, emotions and/or the environment – all have an impact on the individual. The environment in which they exist may be their co-workers, the organisation or the family. All the information you need is available to you in the present. We often need a little encouragement/support to help us reflect on what is happening in the ‘here and now’ and respond in a way that helps us grow and develop. I can offer you a safe space to reflect on your current circumstances. I can help you to explore, uncover and understand what is really going on and build awareness. Hopefully this awareness can encourage you to make the appropriate choices in your life. We can only change our thoughts and feelings about yesterday or tomorrow in the present.
“By directing our energy into fully experiencing and accepting what is going on in the present, change happens without trying and our behaviour adjusts naturally, without effort.” John Leary-Joyce, The Fertile Void. Testimonial for Michael Dill
Michael and I would jointly deliver training during which he would use excellent communication skills by encouraging the group to participate in sharing their experiences and providing a safe platform for people to explore risk taking behaviours. Michael works hard to understand the reality of others, which helps in building a good therapeutic relationship. Feeling heard and understood allowed clients to confide and explore past traumatic events which had been catalysts in their use of substances. Following Michaels departure from the team it was evident that he was integral to the team, highly respected by colleagues and clients and sorely missed by those who knew him. I feel privileged to have worked with Michael and to have witnessed his humanity, humour and excellent work ethic. Ross Miller,
Former manager, Harm Reduction Team, NHS Lanarkshire
I appointed Michael to our team in 2009 as a Development worker within NHSL Harm Reduction Team, where he remained until May 2021. Although I retired in 2017 as the Team manager, I returned part-time as a nurse, where my working relationship continued with Michael until his departure. From the onset, I found Michael to be an honest, reliable, loyal and hardworking individual. He is a great team player who was valued and respected by his colleagues. Michael has particular strengths in engaging with difficult and vulnerable young people, especially those who have been displaced due to substance misuse issues. He has had some great success coaching individuals to move towards recovery and gain employment opportunities, which I believe was a direct result of his diligence and support towards them. Another part of his role, was to provide training to staff and service users. Most of the topics were related to sensitive issues; i.e; overdose prevention and management; su***de prevention; blood borne virus prevention; setting up needle provision services within community pharmacy. Post-training feedback evidenced Michael’s ability to deliver the topic matter in an educational, sensitive and supportive way. He was also fantastic at challenging stigma and attitudes related to the topics, resulting in a positive outcome. It was a privilege working with Michael, his kindness, passion and commitment to helping others has had a lasting impact on many people who have crossed his path. Maureen Woods, Former manager and colleague 2009-2021 NHS Lanarkshire.
