Mary Hunter

*PLEASE NOTE; FOR THE TIME-BEING I AM ONLY SEEING PEOPLE ON-LINE*

I see my job, at least initially, as being to create a safe, therapeutic space in which issues can be explored at depth, and to act as a guide to help you navigate that exploration. I used to say I am not wedded to any one approach, but I'm leaning further and further towards using the Internal Family Systems model to inform my practice. This is a wonderful, imaginative, experiential approach to exploring  problems  and conflicts.  If you're curious about this there are a lot of excellent videos on You Tube where Richard Schwartz explains the model.  

In my counselling work I often see people with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, unresolved grief and trauma. Sometimes difficult and abusive pasts have shaped how people feel about and treat themselves now; also shaping what they feel they can expect from others. Even in more benign circumstances the past can cast a shadow over how we live our lives in the present and it can be useful and enlightening to explore it.

Counselling provides a confidential space where you can explore things in your life that can feel too personal or difficult to discuss with a friend or partner. Sometimes we don't think that we 'should' feel as we do because other people have bigger problems, or it's too negative or other people will judge us. It can be tempting to try not to feel what doesn't seem to fit with who we want to be, but this approach can leave us stuck. Really taking the time to explore what hurts in your life can pave the way for seeing things differently and making positive changes.

What I have noticed in my practice is that as people explore their issues they start to feel increasing self-respect and self-compassion. It's almost as if we have listened to gossip about ourselves our whole lives instead of finding out what is really true! As we start to feel differently about ourselves, and see ourselves differently, we make different choices for ourselves and our relationships change. It can seem almost magical at times. As we change our attitude towards ourselves, the world around us also changes.

I was a mental health nurse from 2002 - 2021 - from 2014  I worked in the community as part of a team delivering psychological therapies in primary care.  This has given me a breadth and depth of experience in working with all kinds of problems. I don't think you necessarily have to have a "problem" or a diagnosis to come into therapy though. Often people just have a sense of dissatisfaction or want to explore issues in a safe, confidential place.

My training as a counsellor was at the University of Edinburgh. It encompassed both person-centered and psychodynamic approaches. Prior to this I studied group work for 3 years with the Institute of Group Analysis. I have since completed the post-graduate certificate in CBT.

I have now (June 2022) completed the foundation level 1 training, and two level 2 trainings of an approach called Internal Family Systems which was created by Richard Schwartz. It has been used successfully with many problems including trauma, eating disorders and chronic pain.  

I have also completed 2 out of 3 modules of a training in EMDR but do not, for now, plan to complete this training as I prefer the IFS approach which covers the same ground.

I'm a keen runner and wrote my Masters dissertation on the subject of running, how central it can become in peoples' lives and the difficulty of adjusting to illness or injury.

I have had a regular meditation practice for more than 20 years. It is a strong foundation stone for building a good relationship with yourself.

I currently do my counselling work on  Mondays and Thursdays.

I charge £25 for a first exploratory session.
My full fee is £50 an hour but I will negotiate if this is too much. My time in therapy has been dependent on working with therapists who were willing to work for less.