About Me
During the COVID lock-down I am offering counselling by telephone, Zoom, FaceTime, Skype and WhatsApp.
My name is Mary-Kate, and I am passionate about helping my clients work through any issues that may be troubling them. I can offer you one-to-one counselling sessions in a safe, supportive and uplifting environment. As a fully insured and registered member of the BACP qualified with a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework to ensure you always feel comfortable, understood and assured during our sessions. Your safety and comfort throughout every session we have together is my highest priority, and we take every conversation at a pace that is comfortable for you.
Before opening my private practice at The Green Door, I worked in a counselling and mental health role with Mosaic II in Bradford, a charity that supported survivors of sexual abuse. In this role, I gained experience working with both male and female clients and helped them address a wide variety of different issues. As well as working with survivors of sexual abuse, I am experienced in supporting clients suffering from issues resulting in anxiety and depression. People find counselling helps with grief following a bereavement or loss of employment. In these COVID days, fear and uncertainty can be addressed during counselling sessions, as well as domestic abuse and violence.
Alongside my work at The Green Door, I also currently work with a women-focused organisation that supports survivors of domestic and sexual abuse through counselling. This work is incredibly rewarding and as a part of this role, I am able to sit with survivors as they work through their trauma and associated issues.
How Counselling Can Help
Counselling sessions can provide you with the time and space you need to talk through issues that are concerning you, in a relaxed and supportive environment. Counselling offers a judgement-free space for you to examine how and why you feel the way you do, and how that interacts with the way you see yourself, others and the world at large. As a counsellor, I won’t tell you what to do or make decisions for you, but instead will help you work through difficult situations, thought patterns and memories, among other things, to give you the tools to make these decisions for yourself, in the best way for you.
Counselling can be helpful for many people and at all stages of life. I work with adults and young people (14 years +) Those who are struggling due to a traumatic situation often find counselling a way for them to process and move forward in a healthy way. However, counselling can also be a great avenue for those who struggle with self-esteem, self-awareness and sense of self, providing the tools needed for self-realisation, worth and confidence. A safe space is provided to explore thought patterns, experiences and feelings.
Your Experience at The Green Door
Often, the hardest part of your counselling journey is making that first step, but it’s an undeniably important and incredibly brave one. Taking that first step acknowledges that your feelings matter and that it’s important for you to take the best possible care of yourself. This can be incredibly tough. At The Green Door, you’ll feel heard and understood, without any judgement, fear or indiscretion.
During your first session, we’ll go through the important boundaries in counselling and the importance of confidentiality. I will explain the counselling process and what steps are taken to keep you safe. These are vital in helping create a space where you feel comfortable to share your story, and I always encourage my clients to ask questions or voice any concerns they may have.
There are so many different approaches to counselling and therapy, and mine, being predominantly Person Centred, is just one. I encourage you to ask questions and speak frankly about what does and doesn’t work for you. The way you express yourself and work through different issues will be completely different from the next person, which is why individual, one-to-one counselling can be so beneficial. A session with a qualified and experienced counsellor can give you the space to work through difficult situations in a healthy and constructive way that feels natural, comfortable and intuitive to you, and I always make sure to take the time to understand exactly what that is for every client. I’ll listen to what you have to say with compassion and impartiality, to give you the opportunity to express yourself in a way that makes the most sense for you.
The Green Door therapy room is a calm, discreet, accepting and welcoming environment to make the process as easy as possible. You are encouraged to feel at ease, even when going through some difficult moments.
Sessions are offered face to face, over the telephone and using Zoom, Facetime or Skype.