Mary Hunter
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This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
About me
*PLEASE NOTE; FOR THE TIME-BEING I AM ONLY SEEING PEOPLE ON-LINE* I don't have availability but do have a waiting list so it's worth sending me an enquiry if you'd like to go on the list.
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.
Training, qualifications & experience
QUALIFICATIONS
- EMDR parts 1 & 2 Richman Trainings Jan & March 2021
- IFS level 2. Trauma. Internal Family Systems UK Nov 2021
- IFS level 2. Internal Family Systems UK March 2021
- IFS level 1. Internal Family Systems UK 2019-2020
- PG Certificate in CBT QMU and South of Scotland CBT 2016-2017
- Masters in Counselling with distinction. University of Edinburgh. 2010-2014
- Advanced Certificate in Group Analytic Psychotherapy. 2007-2010
- Diploma in Mental Health Nursing. Napier University. 2000-2002
- Certificate in Counselling Theory Telford College 1996
- Certificate in Counselling Practice Telford College 1997
- MSc in Information Technology University of Stirling 1991-1992
- Ba (Hons) in English Studies (IIii) University of Stirling 1984-1988
EXPERIENCE
- Worked as a programme assistant (PA) on an IFS Level 1 training in Bristol 2024
- I have had my own private counselling business since January 2015
- I worked for the NHS as a nurse-therapist in a psychological therapies team for 7 years, leaving in 2021.
- I worked as a tutor on the PG Diploma Course at Edinburgh University from 2015-2017.
- I provided counselling in the voluntary sector from 2012 - 2015.
- I worked as a Mental Health Nurse in the Royal Edinburgh from 2002 - 2010. While still working in the Royal Edinburgh I facilitated and co-facilitated more than 200 groups.
- I was a support worker with people with physical disabilities 1993 - 2000
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
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.
When I work
I currently have no availability. I do have a waiting list.