An insight into the world of Hogarth Psychotherapist - Mike Appleton

Psychotherapy doesn’t have to be a morbid experience that comes out of despair or hopelessness , it can be about new choices, change and transition. It can connect us with renewed energy and resources. And it no longer has to mean years on the couch!

Psychotherapy can be solution-focused, timebound and goal-orientated which means you set timeframe, the therapist works to help you identify and achieve the outcomes and the work ends when you are ready or when the goal is met.

Michael Appleton is a psychotherapist with a particular interest in anxiety and trauma as well as stress and stress triggers. Many people carry around a negative self-image, contributing to low mood and a loss of something they can’t put their finger on. And many believe they deserve to suffer – we often judge ourselves harshly for all kinds of situations, and the loss of hope that results can keep us from fulfilling our promise and potential.

Sometimes we need the help of someone not just with experience and training, but a genuine desire to help identify and understand the reasons, and help us find a way forward.

Before becoming a psychotherapist Michael was a producer of award-winning documentaries and he wrote about conflict resolution for newspapers such as The Washington Times and The Observer. His documentaries tended to have a human interest angle and perhaps the most notable – ‘Facing The Enemy’ dealt with secret meetings between Joanna Berry and the man who killed father: Patrick Magee, who planted the Brighton bomb. Michael witnessed their journey from the outset and this is where his interest in trauma and resolution began to deepen.

The experience showed how addressing unresolved conflict could lead to real transition in people’s lives. His career continued to take him to conflict zones in Africa and the Middle East until he decided to train as a psychotherapist. It resulted in a complete change of career and he now works with a psychotherapy practice incorporating a key interest in solution-focused work, trauma and life changes.

The other things Michael can help you with are self-esteem and confidence issues, particularly when it results from negative self-beliefs. He also works with things such as panic attacks, bereavement, bullying and relationship issues. And he can help with anxiety problems, anger and stress issues. He is now resident at The Hogarth Health Clubs on Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays, 12-7pm and Thursday and Fridays 3-6pm, and an assessment session with him is easy to set up.

Visit Mike’s BIO.