Michael Harland, BACP

Michael Harland is a counsellor who helps people facing big midlife questions and related struggles. He works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, grief and life changes. He also supports people with ADHD, addictions, intimacy concerns and issues tied to identity and relationships.

Michael uses a depth-oriented way of working that prioritises feeling over thought. That means sessions focus on getting beneath surface thinking to understand strong emotions and recurring patterns. He balances this with practical attention to what is safe and helpful for each person in the moment.

He explains that depth work is not suitable for everyone. People who are in a current crisis, have experienced extremely severe trauma, or who have a history of non-drug-induced psychosis may need a different approach. In those situations he suggests approaches that strengthen coping and stabilise immediate difficulties.

Michael trained to professional standards and is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP. He has five years of professional experience working with a wide range of concerns and longer-standing emotional patterns.

In sessions he pays attention to what each person brings and helps them name feelings and patterns that get in the way. He aims to create a clear, straightforward way through distress so people can make decisions that feel right for them.

How his approaches translate to online therapy

Depth-oriented work, as practised here, focuses on identifying and feeling strong emotions beneath daily thinking. That often involves gentle attention to bodily sensations and recurring relationship patterns, helping people understand why they react as they do. Mindfulness Therapy is about bringing calm attention to the present moment and noticing thoughts without immediately acting on them; it can help with anxiety, stress and sleep problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to decide whether depth work, mindfulness techniques or a blend fits a person's goals and current needs. He will also discuss when a different type of approach might be safer or more helpful for immediate problems.

If you are considering online therapy, check the available session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel and allow a steadier rhythm of appointments. Shorter check-ins, quieter pre-arranged times and the ability to meet without commuting are all practical benefits that help therapy fit into everyday life.