About me
Dr. Michael Acton Psy.D., M.Ed. (Psych.) Hons., M.A.C. Psych., AfBPsS, BACP (Accred).
I am passionate about working with - and trained and specialise in - relationship/family work. This can be:
- Surviving after an affair, or effectively and carefully breaking up and moving on, or reconciling (Book: 'Weathering Relationships').
- Surviving a narcissistic, toxic relationship (Book: 'Learning How to Leave'), including leaving safely and progressing toward a healing stage.
- A family issue with parenting or managing a relationship with an adult child (Book: 'Raw Facts from Real Parents').
Relationship difficulties usually result in secondary issues. I have vast experience working with Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Domestic and Family Violence, Suicide Prevention, and navigating external family difficulties such as In-Laws and Siblings as well as Estranged Children and Step Children issues.
Many people feel they have repaired a relationship, gone back and then discover later that it is not working. It is vital to make certain that we renew a relationship in a considered and agreed way, otherwise it may fall apart or be very difficult to be in. I specialise in working backwards to past events and clearing them, making room for renewed agreements and healthier ways of doing things. Resentment or unhealed issues need to be worked through and eradicated.
I pay my experience forward by lecturing, presenting and teaching worldwide in collaboration with the American Counseling Association, British Psychological Society, Australian Counselling Association and the Australian Association of Psychotherapy.
I welcome new intakes/cases, and if I can’t work with you, I will find someone who can. I predominately work online, with home visits and in-person appointments restricted to intensive therapy sessions.
I take the guesswork out of getting help.
Email: MichaelEnq@mpamind.com
My books, 'Weathering Relationships', 'Raw Facts From Real Parents', 'Learning How To Leave', 'Narcissism and Codependency: Both Sides of the Coin' and 'Narcissism and Codependency: Walking You Away from Toxic Relationships' are available on Kindle, Amazon paperback, and iBooks.* Some titles are also available on Audible.
Email: MichaelEnq@mpamind.com
*If you purchase a book by Dr. Acton, please write a review on Amazon. This will help ensure his books reach more of the people who need them most. Thank you
Training, qualifications & experience
Michael's first clinical job was at the Dundee Royal Infirmary where he practised for two years in a Chronic Pain Outpatients' Department working with individuals, couples and families. He completed his first Master's degree, with honours, at The University of Dundee and became a Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society.
He then moved to Sussex to work and research alongside Dr Mick Burton and Professor Mic Cooper on psychodynamic and family therapy. After two years of study and research there, he achieved his second Master’s, in Counselling Psychology, and worked within the NHS in the drug dependency unit, with the Young People's Clinic and with Relate’s couples' counselling programmes. He also provided counselling to HIV and AIDS patients for a charitable organisation.
At 35, Michael was accepted for a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the London City University. Alongside this, he continued his practice in couple’s therapy.
He was asked by The London Institute to set up a private practice at their London Facility. This was because of his work background in families, couples and substance abuse; identity issues; life crisis and gender dysphoria 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 researched suicide prevalence and prevention and he also worked with shamanism.
Michael returned to the UK to set up a private practice, and he now provides both remote and face-to-face consultations, including intensive therapy.
Michael successfully works with individuals, couples and families, using his intuition while drawing upon techniques and theoretical understanding including CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy); psychodynamic therapy; systemic therapy (family); motivational interviewing; Gestalt and more. All his work is enveloped by Rogerian core values of empowerment and the importance of the therapeutic integrative relationship.
Michael is committed to ensuring you get appropriate help, even if it is not within his own service provision. Just email confidential@mpamind.com and his team will get back to you.
Areas of Work:
- Family & Relationships
- Parental Issues & Family Work
- Relationship Issues
- Relationship Resolution
He has also trained in the following areas:
- Systemic Family Therapy
- Relate Couple Therapy
- Sexuality
- Narcissism
- Suicide Prevention
- Young Person's Trauma
- Drug & Alcohol Abuse
- Transsexuality (pre- and post-op)
- Rape & Sexual Abuse
- Abandonment
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Organisational Management
- Supervision Training
- Scientist Practitioner Model
- Parental Guidance
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Narcissism and codependency: what happens when a codependent leaves a narcissist?
Domestic and family violence: supporting abusees and training gatekeepers
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£180.00 - £225.00
Additional information
£180 - £225 per session (initial 90m intake £450)
For Intensive Therapy, please visit my website at https://www.mpamind.com/experienced-psychologist/
When I work
To check availability, please contact Michael by email, telephone or Skype.
Further information
Having worked in a psychiatric hospital, as an extra-curricular activity while at senior school, Michael re-discovered his passion and returned to the field following eight years as a teacher. He further qualified in relationship/couple therapy and continued to expand his experience and knowledge throughout 30+ years of practice, as he continues to do today.
Michael offers both traditional, face-to-face counselling and counselling by video call (Skype).
BOOKS
Michael's books: Weathering Relationships, Raw Facts From Real Parents, Learning How To Leave, Narcissism & Codependency: Both Sides of the Coin and Walking You Away from Toxic Relationships are available as Amazon paperbacks, on Kindle and through Apple and other outlets. Some titles are available as audiobooks on Audible.
UK MEDIA ARTICLES
https://www.mpamind.com/trusted-tv-media-psychologist/
