Mark O'Brien

I have a variety of options that may suit the sessions you wish for:

* In person: I can see you in Faversham, or Canterbury. 

*Online: Secure sessions via a platform of our choosing.

*Walk & Talk: A gentler, more spacious way of working. Movement, fresh air, and side-by-side conversation. All of which reduces pressure and can help to open up more naturally. 25 mile distance of Faversham.

River walk - Faversham & Canterbury.

Woods walk - Surrounding areas of Faversham & Canterbury.

Beach walks - Various choice.

*Your own home: Can create a sense of safety, ease, and a familiar environment. Ideal for those who feel anxious about travelling, or struggle with unfamiliar settings. 25 mile distance of Faversham.

Therapy sessions are 60 minutes:

Mondays-Fridays 09:00am - 21:00pm

Weekends are sometimes available  

Appointments are offered on a flexible basis to best accommodate each client’s needs. Session times are arranged during the initial consultation and confirmed prior to every subsequent meeting, in consideration of my wider professional commitments.

Welcome to REGROUP Counselling.

Are you struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety...

Hi I'm Mark, I’m a military veteran and I am offering confidential, person‑centred support to anyone who needs a grounded, non‑judgemental space to talk. I have lived experience of trauma, depression and anxiety in both my past career in the military and my current role as a volunteer at a local college, supporting young people who are also navigating a wide range of pressures, transitions, and personal challenges.

While REGROUP is open to everyone, my background also includes working within an emergency‑service role, and this lived experience shapes a deep commitment to supporting veterans, serving personnel, emergency service workers, and the families who stand beside them. Having spent years within these environments, I understand the culture, the responsibility, and the unspoken weight that can make it difficult to reach out.

I also know that many people outside these communities face their own forms of strain — relationship challenges, work stress, life transitions, or simply feeling overwhelmed. REGROUP is here for you too. You do not need to have served or worked on the frontline to be heard, supported, or understood. 

Life can involve trauma, loss, identity shifts, and emotional burdens that are often carried quietly. REGROUP offers a safe, understanding space where you can explore these experiences at your own pace, with someone who recognises the realities behind the uniform and the lived experience.

After leaving the military, my own journey of reflection and resilience led me into counselling. Today, I walk alongside people from all backgrounds (military, emergency service, and non‑service), not as a distant professional, but as someone who values honesty, humanity, and the courage it takes to ask for support. REGROUP exists because everyone deserves a space to regroup, reset, and move forward.

Ethics and Approach 

I am an Integrative counsellor working in a Humanistic approach, predominantly from a person-centred approach. I do use other theoretical models as your needs dictate. Such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis (TA), and Gestalt.

My approach is grounded, authentic, and shaped by empathy, humility, and relational depth. I work with the complexity of identity, loss, and life changes, whether face to face, online, or in the comfort of your own home. All are conducted in a one‑to‑one setting. I can also provide tailored walk‑and‑talk sessions.

I am committed to ethical practice, confidentiality, and trauma‑informed care. I value congruence, presence, and honesty, creating safe, practical spaces where serving personnel, veterans, young people, emergency responders, and anyone seeking support can explore transition, grief, identity, and resilience.

While REGROUP has a strong foundation in military and emergency‑service culture, the same commitment to safety, respect, and person‑centred care extends to every individual who reaches out.

Practice Values

REGROUP is a grounded, integrative person-centred practice built around reflection, resilience, and personal clarity. The name reflects a simple but powerful idea. Sometimes the strongest thing a person can do is pause, reassess, and find their bearings before moving forward again. 

REGROUP was created with an understanding that many people, particularly those from demanding backgrounds, have been conditioned to carry on regardless. Over time, that mindset can leave little room for reflection.

REGROUP exists to provide that space. It is not about fixing people or forcing outcomes, but about creating a steady environment where clarity can develop naturally. 

REGROUP stands for strength redefined. Not as endurance alone, but as awareness, honesty, and the confidence to pause when it matters.

Prior to our first session, I offer a free 15-20 minute introductory call. This is a relaxed, no pressure chat. It's a space to talk about what's going on for you, what you are hoping for, and to see whether you and I are the 'right fit'. There is no commitment and no expectation, just a chance to meet, ask questions, and get a sense of whether the relationship feels comfortable and supportive. 

The first session: what to expect:

In this first session, it will start with contracting and how our relationship will build, the foundation being our boundaries and confidentiality. The main aim is really just to talk about what’s been going on for you and to see how we might work together. We’ll look at what you’re hoping for and what I can offer, without any pressure to have everything worked out.

I will also forward you the working agreement (Contract), a privacy policy, and a questionnaire. By completing this beforehand it allows more time during the session to focus on your needs.

If anything I say isn’t clear, or you want more information, please ask, this is your space. As I said it’s a chance for you to get a feel for me and decide whether this feels like the right fit.

Think of today as laying the groundwork for something that could be really meaningful for you. We’ll take our time and explore where you are now and where you’d like to be.