Michael Hawthorne, BACP

Michael Hawthorne helps people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship strain and depression. He also supports those dealing with LGBT concerns, social anxiety and phobia, and feelings of shame or isolation. Michael writes plainly and focuses on practical steps clients can use each week.

He works in a respectful and compassionate way. Conversations are shaped to fit each person rather than following a fixed script. That can mean checking what matters most, trying simple coping strategies, and adjusting the plan as progress is made.

Michael has three years of professional experience and holds BACP accreditation. He is based in the United Kingdom and offers sessions in English. His background includes helping people with attachment difficulties and communication problems, and supporting those trying to build self-love after long periods of self-criticism.

Sessions may involve short practical exercises, reflective discussion, and collaborative goal-setting. The emphasis is on clear, manageable steps so progress feels steady rather than overwhelming. Michael aims to make the process understandable for someone who is anxious about starting therapy.

For people seeking support for addictions or persistent low mood, he offers a mixture of supportive listening and goal-focused tasks. He encourages small changes that fit into everyday life and helps clients track what works and what needs adjusting.

How therapeutic approaches work online

Two common evidence-based approaches Michael uses are goal-focused work and supportive talking. Goal-focused work breaks larger problems into small weekly tasks to build confidence and reduce overwhelm; it is useful for anxiety, stress and addictive behaviours. Supportive talking gives space to surface feelings, make sense of difficult emotions like shame or isolation, and practise new ways of relating to yourself and others.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative. Michael will check what you want to change, what has or hasn’t helped before, and your day-to-day constraints. Together you can try a method for a few sessions and adapt it as needed so the work fits your priorities and pace.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging, so people can pick the format that suits them. Video is good for face-to-face conversation, phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited, and messaging works well for short check-ins or when scheduling is tight. These options make therapy more flexible and easier to fit around work, study and family life.