Marcus James Sly
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am an experienced, accredited counsellor and therapist offering a supportive, respectful space, together with effective tools to help you connect with your own wisdom, resilience and strength and work things out. I’m based in Addlestone, Surrey, KT15, close to Woking, Weybridge and Chertsey.
My approach is flexible and eclectic, with sessions tailored to meet your needs. The sort of work we do together depends very much on you — there is no formula, everyone is different, and you are always in control. My aim is always to create a space in which you can unfold, explore, grow and let go of what no longer serves you in a way that feels safe and right for you. I believe that we all have within us an innate wisdom and tendency towards healing and wholeness: when we feel safe, accepted and allowed to be ourselves it is natural for us to start to orientate towards well-being and growth.
I offer a variety of effective and creative approaches to help you make the changes you want. Some of the ways in which we could work include:—
- Talking. Many people find that just talking to someone and being really heard and understood is all that is needed to help them sort through their feelings and make sense of things for themselves.
- Creativity. We can use art, writing, and other methods to access and process intuition and feelings.
- Embodied Approaches. I offer various body-based ways of working that can help you learn to settle and calm your system and access your inner resilience, and to and let go of old wounds and trauma, helping you to deal with your life from a calmer and more empowered place. In addition, working with the body can offer us a different perspective to the rational brain, and can provide powerful ways to bring insight and make changes when talking and words on their own are not enough.
- Walking and talking. Some people find it more comfortable to work out of doors than inside. Walking together and talking things over can help you see the world in a new way. It may be comforting if you are in distress, and can help you discover fresh perspectives on what is going on in your life.
“He has a practical and thoughtful understanding ... and a wide understanding in the broader space of healing therapies ,and great skill in counselling.” Helen C
“From the first meeting with Marcus to the last he was always polite, professional and friendly. He put me at ease whilst talking about difficult subjects and encouraged me to work on issues that presented themselves physically as well as mentally. With his help and encouragement I was able to come to terms with things in my own time and way.” — Anna G.
“I found Marcus to be extremely helpful, and empathetic offering me a way forward when I was going through a difficult period in my life. A great listener and I always left the consultation feeling much better in myself giving me the strength to move forward. A huge support and I would warmly recommend him." — Joy F.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have an Advanced Diploma in Emotional Therapeutic Counselling and am an accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society.
Emotional Therapeutic Counselling is a humanistic and person-centred therapy, which means that while I hope to bring insight and helpful perspectives into the work we do together, I won’t ‘diagnose’ you, but will aim for us to explore and dialogue together, as feels right to you. Many people have found that ETC has helped them with a wide range of problems including depression, anxiety, low self-
Embodied Approaches
All of us are more than just a ‘talking head’! It’s increasingly realised that bringing more awareness of the body into therapy can sometimes make things go much more quickly and effectively. For some people, allowing their body to fully feel, express and tell its story can bypass the 'stuck record' of thoughts, beliefs and words and enable them to let go of the past and open up to new experiences and ways of being more quickly. If it fits and works for you I can support you in the sessions to move, vocalise and express, let go of past hurt and trauma, and gently support you to open into new ways of being and experiencing yourself at a physical level. I am also more than happy to work in a more conventional way if that is a better fit for you, or for the issues you are bringing.
My approach to embodied therapy is based primarily on the ‘Body Listening’ approach which I learned at the Brighton School of Embodied Therapy through formal training and ongoing mentorship. I am also a qualified and experienced Alexander Technique teacher, and I teach a therapeutic dance practice called Dance of Awareness.
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
High Sensitivity/Highly Sensitive People (HSP)
Introverts
Empaths
INFP and INFJ personality types
Shyness
Lack of confidence
Low self-esteem.
Walking and outdoor therapy. The rhythm of walking can help us to relax and organise our thoughts, and for some people may feel more natural and comfortable than traditional chair-based talk-therapy. I offer sessions walking or just being in nature for those who find this helpful.
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial in-person session
Additional information
I charge £50 per session for individuals and £80 for couples. Reductions may be available in cases of genuine need, please ask.
I offer a 10% discount for a block of six sessions booked for in advance
Free introductory session
It's important to make sure that whoever you chose to work with is a good fit for you. To help with this I offer a free, no obligation introductory session so that you can meet me and get a sense of whether you think I would be a good fit for you.
When I work
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I work every weekday from mid morning to early evening.
