Mark Harkness

About me

Qualified Person-Centred Counsellor. Experience in bereavement, adolescent issues, and addiction problems.

Although I have a great deal of experience working young people (14yrs +), I can also offer counselling and support to adults too. I have a wealth of knowledge around grief, the loss of a child, depression, anxiety and addiction.

I am a friendly, outgoing individual with a great passion and dedication towards counselling and self-help therapies. I have excellent inter-personal skills and communicate very effectively with people from all backgrounds of society.

My non-judgement approach towards my work allows me to gain the confidence and trust of others quickly, and my discretion and confidentiality are a vital part of my role.

For many years I was employed by Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle. Based in a children's unit named 'Jigsaw: Cumbria's Children's Hospice'. I supported children and their families who were suffering from life threatening and life limiting illnesses. I also supported families through bereavement and help them face what is more often than not an uncertain future.

Up until March 2018, I was employed by Child Bereavement UK, a national charity which support for bereaved families and bereaved children. I was employed as a 'Bereavement Support Practitioner', based in the Carlisle and Eden District.

I currently work for PAC in Carlisle (Promoting Autonomy and Change) providing therapy and counselling to young people and children. I also work three days a week in Keswick School in Cumbria, providing counselling and therapy to the students in all year groups.

Through my work within other organisations, I am able to offer Family Support Sessions. A session with a family will provide a safe, confidential space for families to communicate their issues and feelings.

My experience in working with families and parents also enables me to offer 'Couples Counselling', which is a new development of my practice, and one that I am looking forward to undertaking.

Skype and DoxyMe Sessions are now also available. Please email me for more details.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) work is also available. Rates negotiable.

Training, qualifications & experience

Qualifications

BA (hons) Person-Centred Counselling

Academic Level 6: Working with Bereaved Children and Young People

Training Courses Attended

Child Bereavement
Mental Health First Aid
CADAS Alcohol Awareness Course
CADAS Drug Awareness Course
CADAS Community Ambassador Course
Appropriate Adult Accredited Training
Supporting Parents and Family Members Through Child Bereavement
Grief and Bereavement in Children and Young People
The Unexpected Palliative Care
Supporting Bereaved Pupils:Let's Talk About It
Child Protection;An Introduction
Creative Ways of Helping Bereaved Children and Families
Suicide-The Impact On Families

PODS Training (Positive Outcome for Dissociative Survivors)

Dissociation and DID: The Fundamentals

Child Sexual Abuse: Hope For Healing

Trauma And The Body: Dissociation & Somatisation

Working With Relational Trauma: Dealing with Disorganised Attachment

Silva Neves Training

Working With Psycho-sexual Presentations

Visiting Lecturer:

Bereavement Studies and Talking Therapy:

University of Derby December 2019

Emotion Focused Therapy:

Core Concepts and Interventions in EFT

EFT Stage 1: Reaching De-escalation

EFT Stage 2-3: Deepening Engagement & Consolidation

Impasses and Challenges in EFT

EFT Masterclass:

Volume 1: Sex Issues

Volume 2: Addiction

Volume 3: Pornography Addiction

Volume 4: Grief and Loss

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

Accredited register membership

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£45.00 per session

Additional information

£45 per hour for adult clients (14+ yrs)
£90 per hour for couples

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) work is also available. Rates negotiable.

I am pleased to let you all know that I am now able to offer card payments for a counselling session. Cash payments and bank transfers are still available too.