Marie Vaile
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Hello, I'm Marie, a qualified counsellor offering individual and couples therapy in a warm, supportive, and non-judgemental space. I work with people navigating a range of life challenges, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief, stress, and relationship difficulties.
My practice is based in East Barry, close to Cardiff and the rest of the Vale of Glamorgan.
While I’m able to support clients with many different presenting issues, I have a specialist interest in maternal and paternal mental health, the emotional and psychological experiences that can arise when becoming (or trying to become) a parent.
My Approach
I work relationally and integratively and in a trauma informed manner, which means I tailor the therapy to you as a unique person or couple, drawing from a range of therapeutic approaches depending on your needs. I aim to create a space where you feel safe to explore whatever is coming up for you, without fear of judgement, shame, or pressure.
I've worked in the mental health sector in charities for many years, working with many presenting issues including addiction and substance use. I have a good understanding of ACE's (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and how they can present in particular behaviours as adults. I believe with the right support, you can learn to process and understand what cannot be changed and learn to give yourself the power to control what you can be in charge of.
In couples counselling, I help partners reconnect, communicate more openly, and navigate the emotional and practical changes that can arise, particularly during pregnancy, after having a baby, or through fertility challenges and loss. I understand that parenthood can be joyful and deeply challenging, sometimes both at once.
Specialist Interest: Maternal and Paternal Mental Health
Finding your way through the emotional challenges of pregnancy, birth, and parenthood isn't easy. I'm here to help you navigate it.
I'm particularly passionate about supporting individuals and couples through the emotional complexities of the perinatal and postnatal period. This includes:
- Postnatal depression and anxiety (in mums and dads)
- Birth trauma and recovery
- Baby loss - including miscarriage, still birth and TFMR
- Fertility struggles
- Identity and role changes
- Relationship difficulties after having a baby
- The invisible load of parenting
- Dads’ mental health, an area often overlooked
I believe these experiences deserve space, validation, and compassionate support. My aim is to help you feel heard, understood, and empowered to process what you're going through. As someone who suffered with my own mental health with depression and crippling anxiety after the birth of my son, I understand well the difficulties new parents can face with this huge life changing transition. I can provide a space that is non-judgemental, that is free to explore those feelings of shame, guilt and embarrassment you may feel and together, to explore ways in which you can be at peace.
Your First Step
Reaching out can feel like the hardest part. That's why I offer a free, no-obligation 20-minute introductory phone call. It's a chance for us to briefly talk, for you to ask any questions you might have, and for us to see if we feel like a good fit.
Please send me an email or give me a call to arrange a time that works for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
Whilst I am qualified as an integrative counselling, my core approach is a Person Centred approach. This means I believe you're the expert of your life and enable you to lead your sessions to get what you want from your therapy. Being an integrative counsellor means I have the tools to use different methods where necessary, such as CBT, ACT and Psychodynamic. A full list of courses I've completed as below:
- BTEC Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Counselling Skills Level 2 and Counselling Studies Level 3
- ABC award Counselling Children and Adolescent Level 4 – (Distinction)
- ABC award Drug and Alcohol substance abuse level 4 – (Distinction)
- Level 3 Perinatal Mental Health
- Level 2 Trauma Focused CBT
I'm committed to continuing my development as a therapist and ensure I'm able to provide the best to my clients. Some CPD I've completed:
- CPD Acceptance & Commitment Therapy I & II
- CPD Online and telephone counselling
- CPD Safeguarding Children
- CPD County Lines
- CPD Attachment in Children
- CPD Play Therapy
- CPD Mental Health & Wellbeing
- CPD Suicide Awareness
- CPD Post Natal Depression Awareness
- CPD Opiate Substitute Therapy
- CPD Motivational Interviewing
- Brief Solution Focused Therapy
- Sands Counsellor Training Programme in Baby and Infant Loss
- ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
- Trauma Focused CBT
- Somatic Therapy for Trauma work
- Birth Trauma
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
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
I have a particular interest in maternal and paternal mental health and after having the debilitating condition, Hyperemesis Gravidarum myself during my pregnancy with my son, this is an area I specialise in. Having poor mental health during and post pregnancy can evoke many different emotions, such as guilt and shame to name a few. I work with people to explore these emotions and to break the stigma often attached to women's mental health around motherhood, and for men to understand that it's ok to be emotional during a time he may feel he needs to be "strong".
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I am able to offer a reduced fee of £35 for student counsellors.
When I work
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Friday's availability is online only.
Please get in touch to discuss your individual needs.
Further information
I'm an experienced substance use and addictions therapist, working with people who are either presently using substances and historic use as a way of coping with trauma and painful events. Clients in this work often experience deep feelings of guilt and shame which we look to explore and process during our time together.
