Michael Harland , BACP

Michael Harland offers a depth-oriented approach to therapy that treats conversation as a route to underlying emotion rather than an end in itself. He prioritizes feeling over thought, understanding that thinking often functions as a defence against difficult emotions. This emphasis on emotional experience shapes how he works with clients - encouraging gentle exploration of feelings that may have been avoided or suppressed.

Depth therapy differs from cognitive approaches that focus on changing thought patterns to manage emotion. Because of these differences, depth work is not appropriate for everyone. Michael does not recommend depth therapy for people who are currently experiencing, or who have previously experienced, a non-drug-induced psychosis, those in the middle of an acute crisis, or anyone who has suffered extremely severe trauma. In such situations he recommends approaches that focus on strengthening coping strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Michael holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which signals professional membership in a UK counselling body. He integrates psychodynamic ideas and mindfulness-informed practices to support careful, feeling-first exploration and to help clients make sense of recurring emotional patterns.

Applying Mindfulness and Psychodynamic Methods in Online Therapy

Michael Harland draws on mindfulness and psychodynamic approaches to guide online work in accessible, practical ways. Mindfulness therapy involves cultivating present-moment awareness of thoughts, bodily sensations, and emotions; it can help people reduce reactivity to stress and develop a steadier relationship with difficult feelings. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on exploring patterns that arise from past experiences and unconscious processes, helping clients understand recurring relational and emotional patterns that influence current life.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and is treated as a collaboration. Michael works with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences and to adapt methods accordingly, combining insight-oriented exploration with present-focused practices as appropriate.

Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for people with busy schedules, mobility limits, or geographic distance. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to fit regular sessions into daily life, while still working with licensed professionals who can tailor their approach to each client’s circumstances.