Karm Therapy
About me...
My name is Mark Douthwaite, and I am a qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor supporting children, young people, and adults. I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
In July 2022, I completed five years of rigorous training at the Northern Guild for Psychotherapy & Counselling. During this time, I worked across a variety of clinical placements, supporting individuals of all ages with a wide range of emotional and psychological needs.
Alongside my counselling work, I have also supported vulnerable children and young people through surf therapy with The Wave Project in Tynemouth.
I hold an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate, ensuring a safe and professional standard of care.
About You...
You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck in your career, or navigating challenges in your relationships or emotional wellbeing. Perhaps you’re experiencing unhelpful thoughts or behaviours and are looking for support to better understand and manage them.
Whatever your reasons for seeking therapy, know that they are valid. Engaging in therapy is an investment in yourself — one that takes commitment, time, and courage. I will work with you at a pace that feels right, offering a safe, non-judgemental, and empathetic space to explore your experiences and support your growth.
How I Can Help
As a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and certified Buteyko Breathing Instructor, I support clients with a wide range of issues, including:
•Anxiety and depression
•Sleep difficulties
•Trauma and PTSD
•Grief and loss
•Addiction
•Stress and anger
•Low self-esteem and self-worth
•Self-harm
•Existential concerns
•Relationship challenges
•Phobias and asthma
•Enhancing sporting performance
•Early life experiences
I typically recommend starting with weekly sessions for six weeks, after which we’ll review and adjust our approach to best suit your needs — whether that means continuing, adjusting frequency, or planning an ending.
What to Expect Next
Taking the first step toward finding a counsellor is something to be proud of. The next step is to reach out.
I offer a free 20-minute consultation to get to know you, explore your history, and understand what you’re hoping to gain from therapy. This is also your chance to ask any questions and get a feel for how I work. It’s important that we both feel comfortable and confident in working together.
From there, we can decide how to begin our sessions and explore your goals within a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship.
My Therapeutic Approach
I provide a confidential, supportive, and boundaried space — whether in a therapy room, or outdoors.
My core approach is Person-Centred, grounded in the belief that everyone has the capacity for personal growth and change. As an integrative practitioner, I draw from a range of therapeutic models and creative tools to adapt our work to your individual needs — inside or outside the therapy room.
Client confidentiality is a cornerstone of my practice, and I adhere strictly to the BACP Ethical Framework. The only exceptions are situations involving risk to life, child safeguarding, or legal obligations such as disclosures of terrorism.
I aim to meet you where you are — emotionally, mentally, and practically — and to offer strategies that empower you both day-to-day and at a deeper level of lasting change.
Why Work With Me?
I have completed an intensive five-year training in psychotherapy at a nationally respected institution, and I continue to receive regular clinical supervision to uphold the highest standards of practice.
As a Registered Member of the BACP, I work within a robust ethical framework and bring extensive personal insight to my practice, having undertaken over 160 hours of my own therapy as part of my training. This allows me to understand the therapy process not only as a practitioner but also from the perspective of a client.
Therapy is a collaborative journey, and my goal is to build a relationship that supports meaningful, lasting change — one rooted in safety, honesty, and connection.
Outdoor Therapy
Also known as Walk & Talk or eco-therapy, Outdoor Therapy offers a powerful alternative to traditional therapy settings. Nature has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression while enhancing self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.
If you’re interested in this approach, we can explore it during your free consultation. We’ll discuss practicalities such as confidentiality in public spaces, weather considerations, boundaries, and physical suitability to ensure your safety and comfort throughout.
Buteyko Breathing
I am a certified Buteyko Breathing Instructor and offer a structured six-week course designed to retrain breathing patterns for better physical and emotional wellbeing. The Buteyko Method focuses on nasal, diaphragmatic breathing and is especially beneficial for people who tend to over-breathe or experience hyperventilation — often linked with asthma, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
Buteyko breathing can significantly improve sleep quality, reduce stress, relieve symptoms of sleep apnea, and even enhance athletic performance by encouraging slower, more efficient breathing.
This work is not limited to clients seeking Buteyko as a standalone therapy. I also integrate Buteyko techniques into my wider therapeutic work with clients who may benefit from breathing regulation as part of managing anxiety, trauma, or emotional dysregulation. Whether you’re here for general counselling or specifically for breathing support, these tools can be adapted to suit your unique needs.
The full course includes six weekly 50-minute face-to-face sessions, where I’ll guide you through breath retention exercises and techniques to help you breathe more calmly and effectively. Consistent practice between sessions is key to getting the most out of this method.
Coming Soon - Mobile Therapy Unit
I’m currently developing the first of its kind Mobile Therapy Unit — a fully equipped VW campervan to be designed as a therapeutic space.
This flexible environment will offer the comfort of a traditional therapy room alongside the accessibility of meeting in your preferred location. It will also serve as a bridge between indoor and outdoor therapy, combining the safety of enclosed space with the freedom of nature.
The Mobile Therapy Unit will include creative tools such as paints, sand trays, and clay. If you’re curious about working this way, please get in touch — I’d be happy to discuss how it might meet your needs in the future.
