Marina Stepanova

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Psychotherapist, PgDip, BSc Psychology (with Honours), MBACP

About me

You might look like you`re coping well on the outside, but inside you feel stretched, unsure of yourself, and tired of always putting other people first. You might be quietly overwhelmed by guilt, self-doubt, and difficulty saying no.

You may find yourself avoiding conflict at all cost and feeling like a burden when you need to express how you feel or ask for what you need.

In therapy, we take time to understand these patterns with compassion, not blame. I offer a calm, supportive space where you can explore your experiences, build confidence, and begin setting boundaries that feel respectful rather than harsh. Clients often notice they feel clearer about their needs, more grounded in relationships, and less ruled by guilt over time.

Areas I Often Support Clients With

  • People-pleasing and difficulty saying no
  • Low self-esteem and self-doubt
  • Relationship stress and conflict avoidance
  • Boundaries and guilt
  • Effects of emotionally immature or unavailable parenting
  • Stress and emotional overwhelm

What Therapy With Me Is Like

Warm, steady, and collaborative. We move at a pace that feels manageable, focusing on understanding why patterns formed and how to shift them in a way that fits your life.

If any of this resonates, you`re welcome to get in touch. Send me a message and we can talk about what`s bringing you to therapy and see whether working together feels like a good fit. 

Training, qualifications & experience

BscHons Psychology (University of Bedfordshire)

Foundation Course in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Regents University, London)

Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Regents University, London)

I am dedicated to undertaking continuous professional development training.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

  • Narcissistic abuse
  • Codependence

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£60.00 per session

Additional information

£60.00 per session (50 minutes)

£230 for four sessions when paid in advance

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Morning and early afternoon sessions available 

Duration of the session - 50 minutes

Further information

The First Step

  • Send me a message to arrange your free 15-minute call
  • I will respond to you within 48 hours
  • We will meet at a time convenient for both of us

What can I expect from the free initial consultation?

  • I will ask you some questions about you, such as what you would like support with, your hopes for the future and expectations of the therapy process, whether you`ve had therapy before (what`s worked and what hasn`t), any medical history that is relevant to our work together
  • You can ask me any question about the process
  • I will tell you about how I work and whether I think that I am the best person to support you at this time
  • You can then go away and make a decision in your own time whether you would like to work with me

Next Step

  • If you decide that you would like to work with me, we will arrange our first session
  • I will email you all the necessary paperwork
  • We will then meet for our first session

How long does it take?

It is a gentle and steady process where we will be exploring what it is like for you to be in your world, how your past or present situations and relationships may be affecting you and how to start changing.

There is no minimum or maximum amount of sessions; you can stay for as long as you feel it is beneficial. 

How long is the session?

  • Free initial call is 15 minutes long
  • A full session is 50 minutes long

Frequency of the sessions

I normally see clients on a weekly basis (as it seems to be the most helpful, especially to start with), however, I have some spaces for fortnightly sessions available if you feel that it`s what you need or can afford at the moment. 

Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Adults (25-64)

Key details

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Online and face to face sessions available The building is wheelchair accessible

Additional languages

English, Russian

Online platforms

Zoom

Social

Marina Stepanova
Marina Stepanova