Michael Harland, BACP - Therapist in United Kingdom

Mindfulness Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Emotional depth work

About Michael

Michael Harland is a BACP counsellor based in the United Kingdom with five years' experience. He works with adults carrying worry, guilt and shame linked to stress, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem and life changes. He also supports people facing relationship strain, grief, substance issues and challenges around identity and intimacy.

He practices depth-oriented work that prioritises feeling alongside thought. That means conversations aim to reach emotions under habitual thinking patterns. He contrasts this with cognitive approaches and explains when those might be more suitable.

Michael is clear about limits to depth work. He does not recommend it for people currently in a crisis, with non-drug-induced psychosis, or who have had extremely severe trauma. For those situations he suggests seeking a cognitive behavioural therapist instead and can help discuss options.

In sessions he listens for patterns that keep painful feelings alive, such as avoidance, control or repeated relationship dynamics. He uses psychodynamic ideas to consider how past relationships affect present behaviour. He also integrates mindfulness practices to help with stress, sleep and grounding.

Practical matters are straightforward. Sessions follow a short matching process and a first appointment is scheduled after the initial questionnaire. Payment uses a cancellable subscription model and Michael accepts international clients who can take part in English.

How his therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions

Depth-oriented psychodynamic work looks at how early relationships and repeating patterns shape current feelings. In practice this means talking about memories, noticing defences, and reflecting on how past events influence present reactions. It can help with long-standing relationship issues, abandonment concerns, attachment-related difficulties and patterns of avoidance.

Mindfulness Therapy brings attention to the present moment. Simple breathing and grounding practices are used to reduce reactivity and improve sleep and concentration. Mindfulness can be useful alongside deeper emotional work when stress, anxiety or chronic pain make it hard to sit with feelings.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will discuss whether depth work, mindfulness or a mix suits the person's needs and goals. That decision is collaborative and may change over time as understanding grows.

Confirm the exact session formats before booking, as the biography does not list them. Online sessions can help fit therapy into everyday life by removing travel, allowing shorter check-ins and making it easier to schedule sessions around work or caregiving. They also make it possible to work with a registered or accredited professional from outside your area.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem Depression ADHD

Also works with

Addictions LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGrief Intimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issues Autism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issues Body imageCancerChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependency Commitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Men's issues Midlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issues Mood disorders Multicultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTrichotillomaniaWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Mindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic Therapy

Experience

5+ years

Listed in

United Kingdom

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does he work with?

He works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, grief and many life changes.

How does he approach feelings of guilt and shame?

He uses depth-oriented and psychodynamic ideas to help people notice how thoughts or behaviours keep guilt and shame active, while bringing attention to the underlying emotions.

What is his professional background?

He has five years' experience and practises as a BACP counsellor in the United Kingdom.

Where is he based and what credential does he hold?

He is located in the United Kingdom and is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Can people who do not live in the UK work with him?

International clients are accepted and sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not specify which formats are used.

How are sessions paid for?

Sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time, and cost varies with location.

How do I start working with him?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.