Mark has 40 years of experience in private practice as a Naturo­path & Counsellor. Prior to graduating in Naturopathy, he completed a Biological Science Degree (Genetics and Zoology) at La Trobe Uni after which he worked in Special Education for five years, teaching and meeting the individual needs of students with disabilities. And while studying Naturopathy he drove taxis for the first two years of the four-year course - "that was my 'special' education!"

Later, while maintaining a private practice and caring for his two children, he lectured at the Southern School of Natural Therapies (Melbourne), completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Qualitative Research and conducted formal research into Rescue Remedy^TM at Victoria University. He then completed his Master of Social Science (Coun­selling) at Swinburne Uni in which his placement experience included Family Counselling and co-facilitating Mindfulness groups as part of a large Hospital Outpatients’ Chronic Pain Management programme. He is also a qualified teacher of Stillness Meditation Therapy (SMT). He has six books published (see PUBLISHED BOOKS page.)

"I am able to identify the root causes of current health and medical conditions, address them with Nature Cure based methods, and enable clients to attain physical and emotional health and wellbe­ing. I view the body & mind as being just 'different sides of the same coin' (Carl Jung). My broad formal education and experience in private practice and life have underpinned my Body/Mind medical approach. I have much expertise, training and experience in health approaches and modalities that focus on the body (physical) and others that focus on the mind (mental & emotional), Naturopathy and Counselling Psychotherapies respectively."

Naturopathy is a holistic system of healthcare that focuses on the body's innate healing capacity - Nature Cure. Natural approaches are employed, such as adjusting diet & lifestyle, and prescribing appropriate natural medicines - homeopathic, flower essence & herbal - are all employed to free up the individual's innate healing capacity. A client's presenting symptoms are alleviated, and with guidance from Iridology, the deeper causes of their illness are addressed to prevent recurrence but also to achieve optimal health and well-being. In other words, individuals are treated more according to a Wellness, not Disease, Health Model.

As a Counsellor "my training and experience allows me to take an eclectic approach by combining Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Jungian Psychotherapy understandings, and Positive Psychology. I remain flexible and don't rigidly adhere to a single method but instead draw from all these approaches according to the needs of the client. Homeopathic medicines and flower essences can be of great support in therapy and consolidatory for the client."

'I have a special interest in the health and well-being of Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs). My counselling and the subtle, gentle and non-invasive natural medicines I use provide a solution for a sensitive person. As an HSP myself, I gain much satisfaction from assisting other HSPs – adults and children – to live physically and mentally healthy, contented, and productive lives which make room for their sensitivity and respect their depth of feeling and perception.'