Simon Marks
“A plaster stops a wound from bleeding. But it doesn’t stop the pain. If you cover it up, the wound simply festers and won’t go away. But if treated correctly, with tenderness and care, it will heal from within. In time, it recovers completely”. Kia
Hello I’m Simon.
I believe that happiness, connection to self and peace of mind can be achieved, when we allow ourselves to heal the wounding from our past. For me, therapy is a journey to the deeper part of the soul - to recover and restore the authentic self. If we merely address the surface without looking at what lies underneath, we risk repeating the same painful life patterns over and over again.
I specialise in:
· LGBTQ+ mental health
· Addiction and recovery
· Relational Trauma & Shame Reduction [Codependency]
· Dramatherapy and inner-child healing
Whether it’s your first time in therapy, you are thinking of returning, or you are looking for a completely different approach, I hope I can help.
As a gay man in long-term recovery myself, I understand that your therapy needs might be as nuanced as the human condition itself. I’ll meet you with empathy, sensitivity, and respect - regardless of your age, family of origin, sexuality, gender identity or neurodiversity.
I appreciate that:
· As gay, bisexual, trans or queer identifying, you may prefer support with your mental health and wellbeing related to a specific LGBTQ+ aspect or issue.
· As someone with an addiction, problematic substance misuse, or compulsive behaviour, it might be difficult to stop on your own, or understand recovery.
· As a survivor of abuse or childhood trauma, you may remain hypervigilant to rejection and abandonment, or get stuck in unhealthy or dysfunctional relationships.
“Recovery is not just about addiction. It’s the recovery of the wounded child we’ve hidden or buried away in darkness and shame. Shame dies on exposure. Recovery is the reparenting of self” A.M
I can help and support you with:
Alcoholism | Adult Child| Anxiety & Depression | Apps | Body dysmorphia |Boundaries| Chemsex | Childhood trauma| Compulsive helping | Drugs and substance misuse| Eating disorders | Emotional abuse & neglect ||Gambling| Gaming addiction| HIV & Sexual Health | Inner-child healing| Internalised homophobia | Isolation & loneliness| Love & Sex addiction| Neuro diversity| Overspending | Underearning |Work addiction |Porn addiction | Recovery | Relapse prevention | Sexual assault | Sexual abuse |Social Media | Shopping |Work addiction
Treating Trauma & Codependence
As a trauma therapist, I work experientially. This means I focus on your lived experience – as well as your mind, body and spirit - to aid the process of healing through your unconscious. It is here where untreated trauma may have caused emotional wounding or a split.
Codependency is a human condition; a survival response to relational childhood trauma. It shows up in our adult lives as low self-esteem; difficulties setting boundaries; identifying needs and wants; moderating thoughts and feelings; and owning our reality. We often mask it with behaviours and addictions, such as alcohol, drugs, food, sex, shopping, etc to change the way we feel.
I work with trauma using two modalities: Dramatherapy and Trauma & Shame Reduction.
Dramatherapy works with the body as well as the mind, offering creative, sometimes playful and often somatic approaches to help uncover hidden aspects or parts of the inner-self yourself. I am an MA qualified dramatherapist and have trained in IFS therapy (Internal Family Systems).
Trauma & Shame Reduction PIT (Post Induction Therapy) is group work, based on the groundbreaking work of Pia Mellody. Her model of Post Induction Therapy (PIT) was developed in the Meadows Treatment Centre in Arizona. It uses gestalt, somatic and inner-child therapy to release shame, and heal wounded and adapted developmental states. I am fully PIT trained to both Level 1 and higher level 2.
Individual work
Initial phone consultation (15 minutes) Free
In person assessment £100
Regular / weekly in person session (55 minutes) £100 *
*Sliding scale available
Group work
I run therapy groups and workshops throughout the year. Duration and prices vary:
- Gay & Bi Men’s Trauma Reduction Residential Retreat l St Helens | 4th-9th April 2023
- Discovering Codependence for gay/bi/queer men | Central London | Spring 2023
- LGBTQ+ Non-residential trauma reduction | Central London | Summer/Autumn 2023
- Mixed Non-residential trauma reduction | Central London | Winter 2023/2024
- A Change Of Scene | free monthly discussion group for gay, bi and queer men | Central London | Third Friday of each month
For more information or to arrange an initial free phone consolation contact:
simon.marks@thepractice.org.uk 07415 827223
