Counseling Psychologist:
South Africa and United Kingdom

I am a counseling psychologist registered to practice in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Most of my professional time is currently spent providing online therapy to clients based in the United Kingdom.

As a counseling psychologist my passion is working with people to create change. When depression, anxiety, or even just life gets in the way of living, it can be hard to see a way out, and clients often talk about feeling 'stuck.

My role is to work with you to discover ways out of the 'stuck-ness', to support you as you move forward, making the experience of change as safe as possible.

Hi! My name is Mark Connelly.

Mark Connelly, counseling psychologist

I'm a registered psychologist in South Africa and the United Kingdom with more than 20 years of experience.

I closed my private practice in Cape Town in February 2023 and moved to the UK to broaden my skills. I am working full-time and am not able to accept clients into my practice for private therapy.

Areas of Interest

Over the years I've found a number of areas of work that really interest me in my counseling psychology practice. As a Counseling psychologist and online therapist I focus on:

Adult Individual Therapy

You and I can meet online using a secure meeting platform. Our goal is to focus on managing the problems you are experiencing and to create a deeper understanding of your life.  I have a general practice with specific interest and experience in the following areas:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Eating disorders
  • Anger
  • Stress management
  • Bereavement, loss
  • Managing change
  • Life coaching

In therapeutic contexts we are inevitably working with people to create change -  Johnella Bird.

Relationship Counseling

The conversations that are possible in a facilitated therapeutic space are very different to those you'd have with your partner outside of this space.

Often a specific event in a couple's life brings them to therapy, or you may just want to explore your relationship in order to make it stronger. As a counseling psychologist I'm particularly aware of the effects of poor communication, betrayal, loss of trust, experiences of distance or other differences on the relationship.

Trauma Counseling

I worked with TraumaClinic for more than 10 years and have a wealth of experience in trauma counseling. Mostly this occurs after a client has been exposed to a significant crisis, but can also be related to ongoing trauma, or trauma experienced in the past. I also work with clients impacted by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Career Coaching

I meet with adults who are thinking about changing careers, or university students who feel they're studying in the wrong direction, to provide coaching and counseling with regard to careers that might suit them. We might use some assessments in the process but that is not the main focus of my work.

There's plenty of information about careers and changing careers on these pages to get you started!

Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Carl Jung

Referral to a counseling psychologist

If I am not able to help you directly in my counseling psychologist practice then I will refer you to someone I trust who will be able to help you.

I work with a team of multi-skilled professionals including clinical psychologists who specialise in areas such as addiction, children, women's health, family therapy, and parental guidance.

Theoretical Orientation

My training as a Counseling psychologist exposed me to many theoretical orientations to therapy. My primary focus is a Narrative Therapy practice as I believe this allows me to work respectfully with you and does not require a commitment to years of therapy!

My therapy is also influenced by Systemic therapy, which emphasises relationships and interactional patterns and dynamics, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Solution Focused therapy.

I work closely with you and apply theory as I believe it suits your particular situation and needs. Ask me about this anytime.

Therapy and Payment

The first appointment is an assessment session in which I usually have plenty of questions to ask you.

This is really so I can assess the extent of your concerns and is in no way an interrogation! You may want to think about questions to ask me as well!

My fee is payable at this first session, and you will be invoiced for all further appointments.

My rates fall well within the limits of fees charged by counseling psychologists in South Africa and the United Kingdom. I do not submit my invoices to any medical aids or insurance companies. I prefer to contract directly with you. It takes a lot of time and effort to submit to medical aids and insurance companies that I'd rather spend in therapy with you. I will give you a full invoice which you can submit to your medical aid or insurance for reimbursement.

I offer a massive 15% discount on all accounts paid promptly.

Consulting a counseling psychologist for the first time can be a stressful experience and may require a lot of bravery from you for the first few appointments. Don't let this stop you. Knowing when to ask for help is often a positive step.


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