My Approach

My training in Process Oriented Psychology has been fundamental in learning about the value of following feedback very carefully. I therefore see my approach as one of carefully following the unique nature of the individual, relationship, family or group. I consider myself to always work with nature, and to sometimes work in Nature. We are developing ways of working therapeutically with young people here on the Biodynamic Farm.

It feels important to say that I am passionate to work with as much awareness of relational, cultural and systemic inequities around diversity as is possible as a white middle class english male.

The Processwork approach is awareness based and I find it very important that it includes awareness of experiencees in 'non-consensus reality'. Therefore working with dreaming experiences, body, movement, dreams, is all very important to my approach.

About Me

Mark O’Connell (he/him) – Process Oriented Psychologist/Psychotherapist, Bioregional and Community Connector/ Facilitator, Founding Director of Apricot Centre CIC

Born White / Male, with British, Irish, and Welsh heritage, I was raised in the UK, Belgium, and the USA. I now live in Devon UK. Land, Nature, and Community deeply inform my life and work.

I have many mainstream privileges associated with my personal history whilst my ancestry is woven with Irish and Welsh lineage, carrying stories of resilience, migration, and the ongoing search for belonging. My family’s history holds echoes of inter-generational trauma, shaped by the upheavals of famine, war, industrialisation, capitalism, emigration. I find great value in reconnecting my roots, ancestors, and a deeper connection with nature and creativity.

I hold Diplomas in Process Oriented Psychology, Family Therapy, and Adoption and Attachment. My academic background is grounded in these therapeutic disciplines. I have led various NHS teams focussed around supporting looked-after and adopted children and their families. I am also an adoptive parent with grown-up daughters.

As Founding Director at the Apricot Centre, my focus is around eldership and integrating priinciples of Deep Democracy in our approach to governance, ownership and leadership. increasingly this means including the Land as a shareholder.

Bioregionalism is important to me. Understanding myself and community as part of the surround nature and bioregion. I am very interested in collaborative approaches with local communities including the participation and societal contributions of asylum seekers and refugees communing and together looking after river health, habitat, and community. This ecological approach involves ongoing community conversations and collective stewardship.

I am increasingly inspired by the suubtle energies in the land, dowsing, listening to the land, working with dreams and dreaming.

In addition, I serve on the faculty of the Process Work Centre in Hawaii as a Processwork supervisor, therapist, and teacher. In this role, I support Palestinians in the Middle East—both personally and professionally—for the benefit of all.

Nature is my sanctuary: I love walking along the River Dart, hiking the moors, wild (and cold!) swimming, and kayaking. I treasure intentional community, mindful dialogue, and the ongoing journey toward wholeness and connection with both people and place.

I work with

• Families
• Groups
• Individuals

Types of Therapies Offered

• Process Oriented Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• Abuse
• Addiction
• ADHD
• Adoption
• Age-related Issues
• Anger Management
• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Bullying
• Chronic Illness
• Cultural Issues
• Depression
• Disability
• Domestic Violence
• Eating Disorders
• Employment Difficulties
• Gender
• Identity Problems
• Infertility
• Mental Health Issues
• Obsessions
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Online Counselling
• Parents
• Phobias
• Physical Abuse
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Race Issues
• Relationships
• Sex Problems
• Sexual Abuse
• Sexuality
• Spirituality
• Stress
• Supervision
• Telephone Counselling
• Training
• Transgender
• Trauma
• Workplace Counselling