Mark Pharoah
Counsellor & Psychotherapist – Registered Member MBACP
Offering face to face therapy in Southeast London and online UK wide
I understand that it takes a great deal of courage to seek therapy and make that initial contact which is why I take a sensitive, non-judgmental and empathic attitude from the outset. As an integrative psychotherapist and counsellor, I have experience helping with a range of issues both big and small over the long and short term.
Your issues may be related to recent events or stretch far back to past abuse or narcissistic trauma. There may be troubling thoughts, low mood & low self-esteem, feelings of isolation, exclusion & loneliness. Perhaps you feel overwhelmed, confused or numb. Maybe you are neurologically atypical and suspect autism, ADHD, extreme intelligence or dyslexia and can’t make sense of your problems or where you fit in. You may be suffering from anxiety, depression, work related problems, loss and bereavement, or social anxiety. Alternatively, you may feel that things are simply “not right” and just don’t know where to turn to for support.
I am a registered member with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (registration number 400725). My main private practice is in SE9 where I offer face-to-face and online therapy for individuals and couples. Previously, I worked for the NHS in Croydon where I provide IAPT counselling. I have published a number of academic papers on existentialism which are listed here.
What is an integrative counsellor?
As an integrative counsellor, I use psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive, existential and relational modalities. This multifaceted approach enables me to be very adaptable to the changing nature of a client’s situation.
Overview of psychodynamics, humanistic, cognitive, existential and relational approaches
Psychodynamics is an approach whose roots stem from the ideas of Sigmund Freud. The psychodynamic approach is concerned principally with the foundations of conscious and unconscious processes as laid down during infancy. As such, its key elements centre on defence mechanisms, transference and countertransference.
In contrast to psychodynamics, the ever popular humanist approach is more concerned with the attitude of the counsellor to the client rather than the analysis of the client. It is thought that this ‘attitude’ is a key ingredient to improvements in psychological health.
Alternatively, the cognitive approach takes the view that the way we think dramatically affects the way we feel. As a consequence, the cognitive approach is concerned primarily with negative thinking, stress triggers and core beliefs.
Finally, the existentialist approach emphasises the importance of universal concerns. Such concerns relate to things like death and loss, our sense of feeling alone and isolated, life’s meaning or lack of it, and our freedoms and limitations.
In my practice as a counsellor, I integrate these approaches as seems fitting to the particular needs of my client. Each approach has its place in the relational dynamic of the counsellor–client space. In my practice, I put equal emphasis on all approaches.
How long should therapy be?
In terms of how many sessions you may want, I think it is helpful to have a short, medium or long term outlook depending on what you feel may be appropriate for you. Short term is between about 8 and 12 sessions while medium term is around 16 to 24. Long term can be a year or more.
It is important to note that the duration of therapy is not necessarily indicative of how complex your therapeutic needs. For instance, you may want merely to have strategies to cope and require to engage in the short term only. Alternatively, you may be looking to explore your inner world and the way you relate to others in more depth. These kinds of considerations are open for ongoing review during therapy—there is no requirement on my part for a client to commit to a set number of sessions or to say in advance how many sessions they are looking to have. Basically, it starts with session 1 and we can take it from there.
Book here for an initial consultation
For Face-to-Face and Online Counselling
I am happy to discuss your goals for therapy and answer any questions you might have over the phone or via zoom. Subsequently, I charge £50 for one-to-one 50 minute sessions with individuals, and £100 for couples or £150 for 90 minutes.
Call me now: 07803 927 769.
Alternatively, drop me an email.
Testimonials
“Very positive sessions. Quite eye opening/insightful.“
“Mark has been great. Has really served me and helped me a lot!! I feel I am on a new journey of recovery !“
“I feel so good after the sessions. It’s really helped me a lot. I really appreciated all the help and listening. So grateful for all the sessions.“
“I was anxious when I started the therapy, but once I got going found it great. Mark put me at great ease and I was able to get a lot of emotion off of my chest. Many thanks.“
“Mark was brilliant. I wish there was a way I could have seen him for longer! … I would highly recommend him!“
“Mark was very helpful and knowledgeable, allowing me to explore thoughts and feelings that I had hidden. He has helped me to find deep rooted issues which I needed to address.”
“Mark was a great therapist. Always listening carefully providing useful insights that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Unfortunate that it could only be 8 sessions [NHS IAPT] as I would definitely have paid for more. Would highly recommend Mark to others.”
“Mark was amazing and I am gutted my sessions have come to an end [NHS IAPT].”
“A wholly positive experience. You’re a good listener, which I guess is a must, and you’ve helped me process what’s been going on for me. I feel like I’m in a better position to deal with things going forward.”
“Mark was very empathic and I gained valuable insights about my situation. It’s a shame the sessions are only for a number of weeks [NHS IAPT service] as I feel I would have benefited from a long period of counselling. I do feel I was heard and supported.”
