Michael Harland, BACP

Michael Harland offers a depth-focused approach to therapy that uses conversation as a bridge to deeper emotions rather than as an end in itself. He prioritizes feeling over thought, working with clients to access emotions that thinking can sometimes keep at bay. This way of working is suited to people who want to explore how early patterns, attachment, and unconscious feelings shape present challenges, and who are ready to engage with emotion as a route to change.

He contrasts this depth orientation with cognitive approaches that treat thoughts as tools for managing emotion. Michael notes that there are times when strengthening psychological defenses is the safer or more effective choice - for example during a crisis, in the presence of non-drug-induced psychosis, or after extremely severe trauma - and he does not recommend depth work in those circumstances. In such cases he advises seeking cognitive behavioral therapy instead.

Michael works with a wide range of psychological difficulties and welcomes conversations with people seeking a thoughtful, feeling-centered style of therapy. He holds the BACP credential, which denotes membership in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Therapeutic approaches and online delivery

Michael Harland draws on psychodynamic and mindfulness-based methods to support clients in exploring emotions and patterns that affect daily life. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on how past relationships and unconscious processes shape current feelings and behaviour, helping people understand repeating patterns and relational issues. Mindfulness therapy encourages gentle attention to present-moment experience - bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions - and can help with stress, anxiety, and improving emotional regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Michael works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the balance of psychodynamic exploration and mindfulness practice as therapy progresses.

Online therapy with Michael is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access registered professionals from different locations, fit sessions into busy lives, and continue work between appointments when needed.