Mark Crow

Stress and distress are inevitable in life; at some stage they will occur. What isn’t fixed, is how we respond.

It’s understandable that people try to avoid painful feelings by distracting themselves, self-medicating, working too hard. The problem is, these feelings tend to return, like the phrase – What we resist, persists.

A better way, is learning to turn towards painful emotions and experiences, to build resilience and understanding. By owning difficult feelings, and bringing our curiosity, their power tends to change, diminish or even disappear.

This is where counselling comes in. Whatever is on your mind or overwhelming you, I offer a safe and confidential space. Here you can begin to say and feel what you need to. We can look at problems from different perspectives and through different lenses. We can challenge assumptions and question whether old patterns are still fit for purpose.

The counselling space is somewhere stifled emotions can be expressed. Every emotion has a purpose and deserves to be heard, despite what we are sometimes told as children. This way,  you can learn regulate them – or gain a working distance from them.

As a client, you can expect a therapy which is rooted in the here and now. As Fritz Perls observed, “there is no reality other than the present.” The therapy will address the felt sense in the body, as well as thoughts.

We can identify and explore parts of the self - the internal dialogue that goes on. For instance, most people can easily tune into the inner critic that unfairly judges them.

The areas I cover include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Issues affecting young people (16-25)
• Relationship problems
• Family issues
• Self-esteem/finding your voice
• Stress
• Anger
• Bereavement
• Questions around identity
• Abuse
• Trauma.

I also offer the option of ‘polyvagal’ therapy. This neurobiological approach has been rigorously researched to help you to understand how your nervous system responds to perceived threat. By learning how the 3 main ‘autonomic states’ (such as ‘fight or flight’) are triggered in you, you can retune your daily responses away from defensiveness and towards calmness, social connection and safety.    

Get Started

I would appreciate the opportunity to work alongside you in a way that matches your needs. This means a unique space in your demanding week, where you'll be genuinely listened to. So please get in touch by email or phone and we can discuss an initial session, and what you are looking for. I am currently working online (Zoom) and face to face.

• My fees are £60 per 50 minute session.

I work online (Zoom) and face to face via a comfortable and private room in Dalston, Hackney. This is easily accessible from Stoke Newington, Clapton, De Beauvoir Town, Haggerston, Homerton, Hackney Central, Shoreditch, Liverpool Street and other parts of East London.