DR. MICHAEL ACTON

Dr. Michael Acton, Psy.D., M.Ed. (Psych.) Hons., M.A.C. Psych., AfBPsS., BACP (Accred), MICF.
Dr. Acton is a highly effective and experienced consultant, psychological therapist, counsellor, clinical supervisor, legal consultant, trained scientist practitioner and author of a series of books and papers.

His focus is on the cutting edge of therapy where reported or proposed evidence-based best practice meets the tough and unpredictable world of private clinical therapy. Michael’s books are available in paperback format and also on Amazon Kindle, Apple books and Audible (audiobook). Michael also provides comment and insight for the media (see a sample of Michael’s radio, online and press coverage here) and for other authors looking for an experiential insight into counselling on the front line. You can also click on the link to read Michael’s many blog articles, on a variety of psychological topics.

Michael is always humbled when asked to contribute to other people’s published works; he has learnt so much over his long career, he seizes every opportunity to share his thoughts, experiences and ideas, especially those learnt through working with people.

Michael is known for his willingness to roll up his sleeves and put his heart into getting to the core of his clients’ issues; only then is he able to guide them assuredly through to resolution and getting unstuck. Michael also provides supervision and guidance to the media, legal teams and authors.

 

• Author since 2015.
• Counselling Supervisor since 1998.
• Counselling Psychologist since 1996.
• Private practice in counselling psychology since 1994 (Torbay, Exeter and London Kensington 1994-2020).
• Associate Fellow and Graduate Member, British Psychological Society (BPS) since 1994 (Graduate member since 1996, Associate Fellow since 2022). Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
• Drug Dependency Units: Family support for clients, parents and relatives of substance abusers in various private and non-profit agencies, 1996-2010.
• Worked in support of Waverly HIV/AIDS Trust and SACH HIV/AIDS Support Trust, 1994-2003.
• Counselling Psychologist 1996-2001. Royal Sussex Psychological Hospital Services.
• Young Persons’ Psychological Services provision NHS Morley Street Hospital Outpatient Services. Working with teenagers’ and children’s issues managing and anchoring parents, teachers, educational nurses, social workers and Child Protection Unit referrals, 1997-1999.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Supervisor for The Gender Trust and spear-headed policymaking for safer and more effective client service provision (in 1998).
• Counsellor Student Services 1996-1998. Sussex University Medical Centre.
• Helped to establish The CLARE project, a transgender support group, UK (1996).
• Assistant Clinical Psychologist 1994-1996. NHS hospital outpatients and inpatient, Dundee Royal Infirmary.

Michael is currently working on the final book in the Power of You series:

The Fork in the Road to help those experiencing relationship break-up to explore two different pathways to find clarity, peace and healing, and avoid repeating mistakes.

Raw Facts From Real Parents: How To Parent Children, Teens and Adults in the 21st Century by Dr. Michael Acton (Life Logic Publishing, 2022). – Power of You series Book 2: AVAILABLE in paperback, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, EPUB and Audiobook formats.

Learning How to Leave: A Practical Guide to Stepping Away from Narcissistic & Toxic Relationships by Dr. Michael Acton (Life Logic Publishing, 2021). – Power of You series Book 1: AVAILABLE in paperback, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, EPUB and Audiobook formats.

Narcissism and Codependency: Walking You Away from Toxic Relationships by Dr. Michael Acton (Life Logic Publishing, 2020) – AVAILABLE in paperback, Amazon Kindle and Apple Books format.

Narcissism and Co-Dependency: Both Sides of the Coin by Dr. Michael Acton (Life Logic Publishing, 2015) – Revised edition. AVAILABLE in paperback, Amazon Kindle and Apple Books format.

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Work Experience

 

Consultation & Intensive Therapy

Private practice

1993 – ongoing

Psychology & Counselling

Voluntary Sector Agencies

1992 – 2012 (20 years)

Various Agencies.

Psychology & Counselling

Relate

1998 – 2004 (6 years)

Relationship Therapy. Couples and Families.

Psychologist

NHS Outpatients Department

1994 – 2004 (10 years)

All categories of trauma, pain management and disablement, including PTSD, physical pain management, sexual abuse, family trauma, young people’s issues (10-21 years), oncology support, HIV/AIDS support, pre- and post- HIV testing support, parenting adaptation and eating disorders management (including obesity).

Psychology & Counselling

Drug & Alcohol Dependency Units

1994 – 2001 (7 years)

Alcohol dependency and drugs (prescription and recreational). Worked in Brighton and Worthing Drug and Dependency Unit, 1997-2001.

Psychologist

NHS Outpatients Pain & Disability Management Department

1994 – 1996 (2 years) Dundee, Scotland. DRI

Severe to moderate impact chronic pain and disability management. Part of pain team consisting of an anaesthesiologist, physical therapist, nurses (including Macmillan nurses), occupational therapists and psychologists (including neuropsychologists).

Teacher

Various Schools and Universities

1985 – 1994 (9 years) UK, Middle East, Australia.

English, Maths and Computer Studies. Developed curricula for courses and testing programs including test design and form. Developed Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) laboratories and design function. Lead Teacher at several posts.

Support Nursing Staff

Darenth Park Psychiatric Hospital

1975 – 1979 (4 years) Kent, England

From 12-16 years as Support Nurse in the children’s ward. Helped with physical and social care needs for patients with organic or socialised severe mental health disorder aged 5-21 years.

University Education

City University of London

Doctoral Studies, Counselling Psychology

2001

Sussex University

Master’s degree, Counselling Psychology

1998

The University of Dundee

Master of Education (M.Ed.), Psychology (Hons)

1996

The University of Stirling

Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)

1987

Supervision Training

UWE

Counselling Psychology Supervision Training

2010-11

City University of London

Doctoral Studies, Counselling Psychology Supervision,

Group Supervision, Milanian Systemics

2001

Dundee Royal Infirmary

Department of Clinical Psychology, Supervision Training

1994-5

Continuous Professional Development and Post-qualification Training

• Abandonment
• ADHD
• Adoption Crisis
• Anxiety
• Business Ethics
• Boundary Setting
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (with Christine Padesky)
• Cognitive Analytical Therapy
• Critical Psychiatry
• Depression
• Drug & Alcohol Abuse
• DSM-IV Analysis
• Eating Disorders (including Obesity), Self Harm and Addictions (1996-2003)
• Existential Death Anxiety
• Gestalt Techniques and Role Play
• Good Practice Ethics
• Grief and Complicated Grief
• Health Practice
• ICD-10 Analysis
• Institutional Management
• Lacanian Interpretation of Psychoanalysis
• Narcissist
• Organisational Management
• Pain & Disability Management
• Parent Detachment
• Parental Guidance
• Psychodynamic Therapeutic Assistance with Internal Governance
• Rape & Sexual Abuse
• RELATE Couples and Systemic Counselling (1999-2003)
• School & University Counselling Programmes
• Scientist Practitioner Model; Evidence Based Practice
• Sexuality
• Substance and Alcohol Abuse: Motivation for and Cycle of Change (1996)
• Suicide Prevention & Completed Suicide Survivors
• Supervision Training
• Systemic Family Therapy
• Systemic Life Coaching
• Transactional Analysis Tools, Insights and Implementation
• Transsexuality (pre- and post-op)
• Young Persons’ Trauma

Born in England and brought up in Eire (Ireland) and England, Michael started his career in psychology early. Between the ages of 13 and 16, he worked for one day each week in the children’s ward of a psychiatric hospital, an extra-curricular activity with his school that was originally meant to be for just six months. As well as getting a bus pass and a free meal (wondrous things to a young teenager), this sent Michael on a journey of self-discovery. After contracting meningitis at 16, and being close to death, he made a full recovery, promptly left home at 17 and went on to become a teacher; his first teaching post was in a prison in Kent.

Travelling became a strong element in Michael’s life – Saudi Arabia, The UAE, Bahrain, The USA, France and Australia gave him teaching contracts which enabled him to complete his Master’s degree with psychological honours. At 27, he became a Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society.

His first clinical job was at the Dundee Royal Infirmary where he worked for two years in a Chronic Pain & Disability Outpatients’ Department. During this time, he was once held at gunpoint while walking home and held captive for a number of hours. The gunman also shot at the police. Facing death, his listening skills and prayers eventually secured his release (later the man was arrested and charged). This experience changed Michael: he suffered from PTSD and became involved with a psychotherapist who introduced him to working in a psychodynamic way.

Michael left the hospital in Dundee and his home in Edinburgh and moved to Sussex to work and research alongside Dr. Mick Burton and Professor Mic Cooper on psychodynamic therapy. After two years, he achieved his Master’s in Counselling Psychology and worked within the NHS at both the outpatients’ psychology department on St. Peter’s Place and within the drug dependency unit & Eating Disorders Facility. He also counselled patients with HIV and AIDS for charitable organisations and had a part time position within the NHS Young Persons’ Clinic at Morley Street, Brighton.

At 35, Michael applied for a doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the London City University – one of thousands of applicants for 23 places. Not expecting to get a place, he also applied to complete a Family Law degree and was accepted into three law colleges in the UK.

He then received a letter congratulating him on his place at London City University and was also asked, by The London Institute, to set up a private practice in their London Clinic in Earl’s Court. This was due to his work background in substance abuse, identity issues, life crisis and gender dysphoria; his work and research into chronic pain and disability and also his work with personal trauma and PTSD.

In 2004, Michael took a sabbatical to work and travel in America and Australia, where he researched suicide prevalence and prevention and Shamanic impact upon mental health recovery. Throughout his life journey, he has studied many philosophical ideas and has an active interest in philanthropy, spirituality and philosophy.

In 2015, Michael wrote his first book, ‘Narcissism & Co-Dependency: Both Sides of the Coin. His fifth book is due to be published in late 2023.

Michael keeps his list open for people he has previously worked with, and, although he is in demand, he will see a small number of occasional urgent situations or cases of interest.