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On this page you can scroll down to find out some more about me and how I can help, or find out the best ways to book an appointment. You may also like to read my article on unity, or learn some more about counselling in my leaflet. |
Hello, I'm Mark, an experienced therapist, helping people in the Eastleigh, Chandlers Ford, Southampton, Romsey, and Winchester areas. As a Humanistic Counsellor, I believe we are all born with the potential for growth, and the capacity to embrace change. Our capacity for growth is nurtured through relationships. Firstly with our parents and siblings, then through friendships, as our world shifts from the home, into education, and finally work. Likewise, people come to counselling seeking to grow and develop through the relationship with their therapist. Central to counselling is a helping conversation with someone who offers understanding, acceptance, and honesty. Being truly heard, sometimes for the very first time, allows us to ease off our burdens, and begin walking with a lighter step. |
Sometimes we know where we are going,
other times we just want things to be different. Talking to someone can help us work out where we want to go and how to get there. |
I am an experienced counsellor educated to degree level, BA (Hons), and a registered member of BACP (MBACP). I abide by their ethical code of practice. You can read more about me by selecting the titles below.
I work one-to-one with adults, older adults and adolescents for both long and short term work, according to need. I have a specialist interest and experience in the following areas;
- anxiety
- depression
- relationships
- young people
- bereavement and loss
- anger management
- trauma
- self-harm
- abuse
- learning disability
- Autism and Aspergers
Bachelor of Arts Counselling First Class Honours
awarded by Buckinghamshire New University
Diploma of Higher Education in Counselling with Distinction
awarded by The University of Winchester
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
awarded by ABC Awards
Awareness in Bereavement Care
awarded by Cruse Bereavment Care
I am a registered member of BACP (MBACP), and I abide by their ethical code of practice. Being registered is an assurance that I meet a minimum standard for safe and ethical practice.
I was born and grew up in Winchester, and have lived and worked in the local area. I attended University at Southampton, and now live in Eastleigh.
Prior to becoming a counsellor, I worked with people with a learning disability in the NHS, the charity sector, and with Hampshire County Council.
As well as general counselling experience, I have also worked in an inner city school, and have been a volunteer for Cruse Bereavement Care, counselling people in their own homes. I also acted as chair for their Client Services Committee.
When I was a child, I decided I wanted to be a dentist or a doctor, rather than a fireman or an astronaut.
And while I never became any of those things, I did end up working with people with a learning disability.
To start with I believed that this group of people were somehow different than me.
After a time, I noticed we shared many things in common, and in particular a need for fulfilling relationships with others.
Then I began to notice that while the label may stay the same, each person I met had their own unique way of going about things.
So when I began working with adolescents, I noticed energy and creativity, and also this same sense of uniqueness; sometimes trying to work out a place in the world, sometimes how to cope, and sometimes how to have fulfilling relationships with others.
I have come to believe that if there is one thing we all have in common, it's that each of us is unique.
Change comes from
embracing who we are, rather than by trying to become something we are not. |
Counselling is...Offering a warm, understanding approach, with an emphasis on genuineness and acceptance, helping to create a safe space for you to talk. Being able to share our distress with another helps us to unburden ourselves and look at our problems afresh. As a Gestalt counsellor, I believe all people are born with the ability to lead full and rewarding lives. Sometimes however, we can get stuck, unsure of how to get going again. I see my role as helping you to explore how you got stuck, and the things keeping you there. Through this understanding, I can help you find new ways of responding to life's challenges. At its heart, Gestalt is a healing conversation, which listens in a holistic way, fostering ways of living a fuller life, more in touch with both ourselves and the relationships important to us. |
Initial Consultation £40An introductory 50 minute session, giving you a chance to ask questions, and begin exploring what has brought you to counselling.
Following Sessions £5050 minutes long. You can opt for open-ended where we work toward an agreed goal, or time-limited, where we work together for an agreed amount of time, usually 6 to 10 sessions. |
'Hope' is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops - at all, Emily Dickinson
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