Mark McConnell, BACP

Mark McConnell helps people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, low mood and confidence. He also supports those facing trauma, grief, relationship and intimacy-related issues, and people coping with addiction or major life changes. He is introduced here as a straightforward counsellor who aims to make starting therapy as easy as possible.

Mark works in a practical, directive way while recognising each person's own strengths. He listens for what is getting in the way and offers tools to move forward. Sessions are a mix of talking, goal-setting and simple exercises to try between meetings.

He draws on approaches such as client-centred work, cognitive behavioural techniques and mindfulness. That means conversations focus on what matters to the person, spotting patterns that keep problems going, and learning small habits that reduce stress and improve mood.

Mark holds BACP accreditation, which is a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy credential. He has three years of professional experience in the United Kingdom and carries a practical focus into sessions.

People often come for short-term help with clear goals or for longer work through deeper issues. Mark aims to be calm and direct in session, helping people build confidence, manage distress and plan the next steps they want to take.

How Mark uses practical approaches online

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person's own perspective and priorities, with the counsellor offering empathy and support so the person can make changes that matter to them. It helps when someone wants to be heard and to build confidence in their own decisions.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions. In session this involves spotting unhelpful thinking patterns, testing new ways of thinking, and trying small behavioural experiments to reduce anxiety or low mood.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Mark will discuss options and tailor sessions to the person's goals, needs and preferences. He aims to agree on a plan together and adjust it over time based on what helps.

Online sessions offer practical benefits for people with busy lives or distance constraints. Video calls are useful for face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, and live chat or text-based messaging suit shorter check-ins or when writing feels more comfortable. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, parenting or travel while keeping continuity of care.