I’m passionate about exploring how the research and application of psychology and behavioural science can make a real difference to our wellbeing, and even the future sustainability of this planet. Evidence-based psychological skills can promote strong mental health, performance, and psychological flexibility, helping us to cultivate what is best in ourselves and to live well and thrive.
I’ve been privileged to work with people of all ages, from all walks of life, suffering with a vast range of mental health problems. Despite the challenges I’ve witnessed people facing, this experience has given me a fundamentally optimistic outlook: I believe that people can move forward and live meaningful lives, even in the face of extreme adversity.
I want our clients at CPG to be aware of all the options available to them here. I think choice is key, as is direct and fast access to the very latest advancements in evidence-based psychological treatment, and the very best quality of psychological care.
Michael is CPG’s Managing Director, Lead Consultant Psychologist, and Clinical Director. He is a highly skilled Chartered Psychologist with over twenty years of clinical experience providing psychological assessment and treatment to individuals, couples, and families both within the NHS and the private sector. He offers brief and effective treatment for the full range of psychological problems including: work-related stress; depression; anxiety disorders; eating disorders; chronic pain; adjustment to physical health problems and medical diagnoses; medically unexplained symptoms and chronic fatigue/burnout; and relationship problems.
Committed to bringing about meaningful change for his clients in the shortest possible time, Michael helps them to develop effective psychological skills for living full and satisfying lives. He uses a range of evidence-based psychological interventions, with an emphasis on mindfulness-based treatments and contextual cognitive behavioural therapies. He has advanced training and is highly experienced in delivering Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). He is an experienced clinical supervisor and continues to be involved in the training and supervision of other health practitioners, psychologists, and psychotherapists.
Michael provides a range of services to corporate clients. He offers psychological coaching and mindfulness-based training for wellbeing, performance, and resilience to senior managers and business leaders. He is a consultant to a growing number of occupational health departments and corporate medical centres in the City of London and internationally, assisting with employees' stress management, wellbeing and performance.
Before setting up CPG, Michael worked in a wide range of healthcare settings, including specialist mental health clinics and GP surgeries. He was Lead Specialist Psychologist in HIV/HCV co-infection at The Royal Free Hospital, where he was responsible for the development and implementation of psychological assessments for patients starting invasive treatment. He has held various positions as specialist trainer and lecturer at The Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and City University. He has delivered seminars and workshops at both national and international conferences.
Michael is a Chartered Scientist registered with the Science Council UK, a Senior Practitioner on the Register of Psychologists Specialising in Psychotherapy, a Practitioner Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, a clinical supervisor on the Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors, a Member of the Association of Contextual Behavioural Science, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a member of its Division of Clinical, Counselling and Health Psychology, its Special Group in Coaching Psychology, and its Psychotherapy Section.
Michael is active in representing psychology in the media, and has been featured by BBC World News, BBC Breakfast, Bloomberg, CNBC, The Times, The Financial Times, The Telegraph, The Evening Standard, The Daily Mail, and The Huffington Post, amongst others.
He is also the author of a number of best-selling self-help books including:
The Little Anxiety Workbook: Reclaim your life with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Crimson (2021)
The Little Depression Workbook: Build the life you want with mindfulness, compassion and meaningful action (2020). Published by Hodder
Getting started with ACT: a brief introduction to acceptance & commitment therapy (Dutch) (2019)
Mindfulness for Busy People: turning frantic and frazzled into calm and composed - 2nd Edition'. (2017). London: Pearson
The Little ACT Workbook: an introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: a mindfulness-based guide for leading a full and meaningful life (2016). Bath: Crimson
Working with Mindfulness: keeping calm and focused to get the job done (2016). London: Pearson
Meditation of people in a hurry (French) - a simple and clear introduction to the benefits of meditation. Larousse (2014) Amazon.fr - Méditation des gens pressés - Sinclair, Dr Michael, Seydel, Josie - Livres
Mindfulness for Busy People: turning frantic and frazzled into calm and composed. (2013). London: Pearson
The Little CBT Workbook: a step by step guide to gaining control of your life. (2012). London: Crimson (nominated for the BPS Annual Book Award 2012)
Fear and Self-Loathing in the City: a guide to keeping sane in the square mile. (2010) London: Karnac (2010).
Michael’s research interests include: mental health in the corporate work place; the psychological impact of illness on the individual and family; focused, brief psychological therapy; the development and implementation of independent private psychology services; the effectiveness of psychological treatments including ACT and other mindfulness-based therapies and the effectiveness of ACT supervision for clinicians’ competency and well-being.
Academic publications:
Dhesi, M. & Sinclair, M. (2016). 'All for one and one for all: reflections on the challenges and benefits of working as a group practice in the City of London, 11 years on'. Private Practice (BACP Journal), 12-13.
Sinclair, M., McPherson, S., et al. (2011). ‘Another Dragon in the Kitchen: psychological experiences of Hepatitis C treatment among HIV-Hepatitis C co-infected gay men’. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 11 (3), 228 – 236.
Sinclair, M., Bor, R., et al. (2004). ‘The sociodemographic profile, risk categories and prevalence of HIV infection in a London Same-Day Testing Clinic, 2000-2001’. International Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS, 15, 33-37.