Michael Acton-Coles B.Ed., M.Ed. (Psych.) Hons., M.A. C. Psych., P.D. C. Psych.

38 Walnut Road
Torquay
Devon
TQ2 6HU
View map		 Langham Mansions
10 Warwick Road
Earls Court
London
SW6 1LE
View map		 Michael Acton-Coles
Torbay 01803 400 312 London 0203 286 1844 / :Landline numbers are forwarded to mobile numbers out of hours. We will return your enquiry wihtin 24 hours.
www.acclinics.com
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Profile

More often than not people stay in a place that does not work for them; way beyond what is good and healthy. At times of feeling stuck, shut-down or in a state of crisis and panic you would benefit from a safe and supportive place to find and make a change for the better. However, when we are considering getting help we are, at times, not aware fully of what ails us, and that is OK too.

Whether you are seeking help individually or as a couple or family, I will help you reflect and really clarify where you are now, work with you on your safety and help change what does not work for you. We can do this by weighing up where you are, overcome any safety fears that help to keep you "stuck" and find ways towards what success is for you.

I have worked with couples, families and individuals for over 20 years and I am a supervisor. Through the course of my work with the NHS, Voluntary and Private sectors, I have developed a deep understanding of the complex issues that can cause problems in everyday life including depression, anxiety, stress and grief as well as trauma and more specific unique life events (Go to acclinics.com for more indepth information). I am dedicated to helping people to the best of my ability within my areas of competence and if I cannot help you, then I will do my uppermost to find the best person that can.

During the past two decades, I have aimed at taking the guess work out of getting help for people. All my colleages that work with me and within my referral system are appropriately qualified and with the experience to have the confidence to help you move, get unstuck and resolve your issues. I follow the British Psychological Society's guidelines on good practice and ethical guidelines and work alongside NICE guidelines for effective practice.

"I have personally worked with people in need from a very young age. Since that time, I have accumulated many academic degrees, learnt immensely from those that have come to me for help and I have undergone extensive training in therapeutic disciplines. These approaches include applied clinical and counselling psychology, CBT, psychoanalysis, psychodynamic, Jungian, Gestalt and logo therapies, in addition to more contemporary and holistic forms of therapeutic alliance, such as mindfulness"

Training, Qualifications & Experience

Michael completed his Master's degree with psychological honours and at 29 became a Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society.

His first clinical job was at the Dundee Royal Infirmary where he worked for two years in a Chronic Pain Outpatients' Department working with individuals, couples and families.

Michael then moved to Sussex to work and research alongside Dr Mick Burton and Professor Mic Cooper on psychodynamic and family therapy. After two years study and research he achieved his Masters in Counselling Psychology and worked within the NHS in the drug dependency unit, Young People's Clinic, Relate couples' counselling as well as counselling HIV and Aids patients in a charitable organisation.

At 35 he was accepted for a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the London City University. He continued his practice in couples' therapy and further focussed in many various aspects of client help (got to acclinics.com to see the full range of Michael's experience).

Michael was asked by The London Institute to set up a private practice in their London Facility, because of his background in families, couples and substance abuse, identity issues, life crisis and gender dysphoria (Transsexuals) as well as his work and research with lesbian, gay and bisexual issues.

In 2004 he decided to take a sabbatical to work and travel in America and Australia. During this time he worked researching suicide prevalence and prevention and worked with shamanism and native people.

With an opportunity to continue academic and experiential development Michael returned to the UK to complete his doctoral studies and to also set up a practice in Devon where he is now based close to his daughter and grand daughter. He continues to split his time between his London practice based in Earls Court as well as research and family committments in the USA and Australia.

Michael is trained to work with individuals, couples and families and he uses his intuition drawing upon techniques and theoretical underpinnings drawn from CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), psychodynamic therapy, systemic therapy (family), motivational interviewing and Gestalt. All his work is enveloped by Rogerian core values of empowerment and the importance of the therapeutic intergrative relationship.

"I am always more than happy to talk to you about where you are at before you book a session. I have a committment to you getting appropriate help and I will be the first to make sure you get that even if it is not within my own service provision. Just email info@acclinics.com or call us and I will get back to you!"

Areas of Work:

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Transexual pre and post op and discovery journies without surgical selections.

Sometimes we are not really sure of where we are or names for issues and more often than not our situation becomes a big jumbled mess of things. This is quite normal and expected when we get into a difficult life position. We don't necessarily have a name for all we are feeling and experiencing and that is OK. We can work together on finding this out.

Therapies Offered

Fees

Assessments: Sessions:
* Individual £80.00  (Less agreed financial assistance if required) 1st assessment session full fee.
* Couple £80.00  (Less agreed financial assistance if required) 1st assessment session full fee.
* Family £120.00 (Less agreed financial assistance if required) 1sr assessment session full fee.

*Financal assistance available. Agreed during innitial assessment session.

I have always offered financially assisted sessions to those that are experiencing difficulty. Your payment ability will be sensitively discussed during your initial session. Unfortunately, there are limited funds so I ask you to only use this option if you have no other means and it is absolutely necessary. I have always been committed to offering my services to all, irrespective of your position at any point in time.

Further Information

Having worked in a psychiatric hospital as an extra-curricular activity while at my senior school as a teenager I was surprised to return after I became a teacher for eight years. I refound my passion and interest and vocation in psychological and counselling therapies. I saw a growing need for my clients to have more flexibility in their type of therapeutic approach and so I further qualified in relatiinship/couple therapy and expanded my experience and knowledge throughout my years of practice as I still do today. I have a bug for keeping on top of techniiques and skills to add to my helping tool box as I also fully take on my preofessional responsibility to do well for those that seek my help (acclinics.com has the full story of Michael's journey and experiences).


I offer both traditional, face to face counselling and additionaly I offer ways to access help via Email, Phone and Video Calls (Skype). I encouraged our adoption of this modern approach to suit my clients' busy, 21st century lifestyles dominated by busy families, business travel, public profile committments, etc. In addition to the busy lives we lead I have also found this therapeutic vehicle truly helpful to those that do not feel able to physically go to an address to seek help due to disability, fear, being uncomfortable with apppearing in person or any reason that makes multi-media the best choice for accessing help. I started doing telephone counselling with people in the public eye while in London and because my clients felt it was so helpful I extended and redesigned the ability to access my team and I remotely and it works really effectively.


  

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