Mark Hughes

Personal Profile

My training, work with other clients, and my own experience of life’s challenges, and the unique impartial, and confidential relationship we will have, as client and counsellor, create a unique kind of relationship in which there are many benefits that are difficult or impossible to find elsewhere.

I began study and practice of Psychosynthesis in 2001 and my training as a Psychosynthesis Counsellor in 2002, and began work with clients in 2005. This proved such interesting and rewarding work that I decided to make a career of it, and began my private practice in 2008.

Continued Professional Development

My own growth and development is very important to my wellbeing, and I believe, benefits others around me including my clients. As part of this I regularly update my skills and broaden my experience by attending courses officially recognised as Continued Professional Development.

Examples include work with groups (Essentials of Psychosynthesis, Family Constellations, London Men's Group), relationships, intimacy and sexuality (Human Awareness Institute, Nick Duffel), relationships and gender, (David Deida, Théun Mares), body work (massage, Feldenkrais, 5 Rhythms dance), spirituality and psychology (energy work, mindfullness, presence, Eckhart Tolle, Transpersonal Psychology, Ken Wilber's Integral/AQAL, the London Integral Circle).
Mind, Body, Spirit

My work is holistic, integrating all aspects of the human being according to the psychosynthesis model (e.g. body, feelings, mind, and personal centre of consciousness). Psychosynthesis also allows me to integrate the best elements from other models such as Ken Wilber's AQAL approach, Eckhart Tolle's presence, David Deida'a masculine and feminine, Nick Duffel's Gender Psychology and so on.

Naturally I apply this balanced and holistic approach in my own life, guided by my intuition and that reliable inner compass: my happiness. Thus, I take care to ensure that the activities which I think will be good for my health and wellbeing, also feel right, and particularly if they are fun!

So I naturally include many things that I really enjoy under the heading of professional (and personal) development, including: Figure Skating, Snowboarding, Skiing, Fishing, Growing (and eating) Vegitables, and Marital Arts (Shaolin Weapons Training and Chinese Gong Fu).
Experience

Beginning in 2005 as a volunteer, I provided low cost counselling to the general public with the following organisations until starting my own private practice in 2008:

• PET Counselling Service - attached to the Psychosynthesis and Education Trust.
• Phoenix Counselling Service - a non-profit organisation offering affordable counselling to the general public, mainly in East London.

I have also taught young women in Holloway Prison, and worked as a volunteer at the Wood Street Drop-In Centre spending time with the service users.

Work Approach

As a counsellor I see individuals in a confidential, personal setting (at my home in Walthamstow) and work in a client focussed, confidential, non-judgemental way, which may include therapeutic techniques should you want to work in greater depth (such as imagery, guided meditations, gestalt dialog, and cognitive behavioural techniques amongst others). Typically we would meet once per week for 50 minutes, but the starting point is to hold an initial session where we can talk about your situation and explore together whether counselling is right for you at this time.

Most counsellors are women, and you might want to consider whether it will be most helpful for you to see a male counsellor or a female counsellor. There can be advantages for both men and women in seeing a male counsellor, and this is something we could discuss during an initial session.

As your counsellor, I can help you get what you want from life, and to appreciate and enjoy what you already have. You might come to me with a specific issue, such as a problem you are trying to solve, a behaviour pattern you want to change, relationship difficulties at work or in your family, or because you are in crisis. I can help if you are struggling with a life transition such as divorce, relationship break-up, unemployment, or a career change. I can also help you to embark on a new venture or project, and to develop new talents such as intuition and creativity. These opportunities to grow often arise after a difficulty is overcome, or are the treasures waiting to be discovered in the darkness, confusion and sense of meaninglessness that sometimes arises for no apparent reason.

I can help you to improve your life situation, and to appreciate and enjoy what you have already. Sometimes we lose touch with who we are, what matters, even with the natural ability to love and appreciate life. That can feel very lonely and isolating, and counselling can help you make the transition to a happier and fuller life. Or you may have an immediate difficulty which is very real and pressing, and which you would like some help with.

What is Counselling For?

There are many more things I can help with than I can list, but here are some common examples:

• I can help you with anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, anger, bereavement, panic attacks, to help you live the life you want, to have healthy growing relationships, to be productive, creative, to feel free and happy, and to feel appreciated and loved by those around you.
• At a time of difficulty, you might use counselling to support yourself through a crisis such as bereavement or a relationship break-up, or through a major life transition such as a career change.
• Sometimes the issue or problem isn’t obvious. If there’s something you just can't put your finger on. Or you have a general feeling of dissatisfaction, a lack of direction or purpose. If you want more from life but not know what to do about this, I can help you to use these very feelings to get in touch with what you are missing, and to bring your unique gifts into the world, so that you can appreciate and enjoy your life.
• If are stuck, perhaps with a decision to make, I can help you to identify the options, and explore them before making important decisions such as moving job, committing to or ending a relationship.
• I can help you identify your life goals and then to achieve them.
• You might use me to help you reflect on your life, to explore what it means to you, and how to get what you want.

As counsellor, I am familiar with and can help you through these and other very difficult issues. As a companion and witness to your journey, I will use my experience to guide and support you, and will draw your attention to opportunities that you might not have noticed. I offer you my skills, for example in working with the unconscious mind, the personality in all its aspects, holistically, including mind, body, feelings, and your unique self.