Mark Archer
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a senior qualified Accredited BACP Registered Integrative Psychotherapist offering counselling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples and adolescents in both short- and long-term psychotherapy.
I have a background of working for over 25 years in the field of mental health for the voluntary, private and statutory sectors, including the NHS.
My work is integrative; which means that I believe in the uniqueness of human personality and experiences, not in a 'one size fits all' approach. I draw from my varied experience and a blend of theories, allowing me to work with a therapy unique to the individual you. I integrate object relations, psychoanalytic self-psychology, neuroscience and aspects of humanistic psychology along with somatic experiencing, the integrating of the bodies story. The mind and body must be connected for full health and connection to both self and others.
The areas of expertise that I work with include: issues faced by children and adolescents, disability, couples counselling, relationship problems, anger management, career issues, self-confidence, self-esteem and self-image, mental health, trauma, addictions and many other kinds of emotional distress or suffering, that a person is no longer able to cope with by oneself.
Other areas of expertise include: relationship issues, couples counselling, anxiety, abuse, addiction, anger management, depression, food issues, bereavement, grief & loss, post traumatic stress, sexuality, spirituality, and trauma
I also have extensive experience of working with individuals from both the TV/film and music industries.
My private practice is located in the centre of the historic market town of Bishops Stortford, which is only a 5 min drive from the train station and also the M11.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Integrative Psychotherapist
- Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Dual Honours Degree in Biology and Psychology
- Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
- 25 years experience working in the field of Mental Health ( for the voluntary, private and statutory sectors, including the NHS)
- Shame, Obsession & Habitual Worrying – Richard Erskine
- Affect Confusion, Cumulative Trauma and Attachment Disruption; Psychotherapy for Borderline Disorders – Richard Erskine
- Relational-Needs and Attachment Patterns - Richard Erskine
- A Masterclass – Psychotherapy of the Schizoid Process – Richard Erskine
- Developmentally Based, Relationally Focused Integrative Psychotherapy - Richard Erskine
- Applying Child Development Theory and Research in Psychotherapy with Adults - Richard Erskine
- The Narcissistic Dilemma: A Perspective from Relational and Integrative Psychotherapy
- Relational-Needs and Attachment Patterns: Considerations for Psychotherapy and Counselling - Richard Erskine
- I am a member of an International Supervision & Process Group with Richard Erskine
- Time-limited psychodynamic psychotherapy for adolescents and young adults.
- Mindfulness CBT training
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.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I have worked successfully with male and female clients from many different backgrounds aged 11 - 80 and will consider an initial meeting with anybody who wishes to contact me.
During the initial session, we will work together to establish the best next steps for you and I often see people for a one off session, without obligation, just to see what is involved.
Some clients stay for a few sessions, some for a few years, depending on individual circumstances.
Counselling works best on a weekly basis, generally at the same time each week but I am aware that this isn't always possible. I therefore offer flexibility in session times and in some cases we can discusses this on a week by week basis, and in other cases some people prefer a fixed time each week.
I also offer fortnightly sessions and some clients find this works for them. However this can sometimes be restricted.
There is always the possibility of booking a one-off session if there is a particular matter you would like to discuss.
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 - £70.00
Free initial in-person session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY TO DISCUSS REDUCED FEES
One-to-one Sessions:
Between £60-70 per 50 minute session for individual therapy depending on individual circumstances.
We will negotiate this fee either prior to, or during your first session.
Couples Sessions:
Between £80-90 per 50min session for couples therapy depending on individual circumstances.
We will negotiate this fee either prior to, or during your first session.
Low Cost Sessions:
I do keep some low cost spaces available for those who are either students, people on low income, on unemployment benefits or unwaged. Proof of receipt of benefits / low income must be provided where applicable. If you feel that you may be eligible for low cost sessions, please make contact with me and we can negotiate a fee based on your ability to pay.
Please also be aware that from time to time I have to operate a waiting list for these spaces.
Cancellations and Fee revisions:
If you have to cancel a booked session I require 48 hours notice and I will always try to rearrange. Where this is not possible, I may have to make a charge.
Fees are revised periodically and I will always give you notice of changes. If we work together for more than 6 months, I would appreciate a month’s notice of leaving.
Further information
I have full Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance and I also have regular supervision. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and adhere to their Code of Ethics for good practice.
I hold an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) formerly known as a Criminal Bureau Check (CRB).
