Mary Kelly

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Loretta Accredited Counsellor in Co. Antrim
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Crumlin, Co. Antrim, BT29
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Hello. Welcome to my site. I am a BACP accredited psychotherapist/counsellor with wide experience in one-to-one client work.

Please note that since the Corona Virus epidemic I am currently only available for telephone or on- line counselling. Email me for details of this.

I worked as counsellor for 12 years in an NHS medical practice on a wide range of issues including anxiety and depression. I have had my own private practice since 2013 providing clients with confidential and professional support in a wide of issues including those relating to: relationships, health, employment, bereavement, panic attacks, social anxieties, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger management, body dysmorphia and low self-esteem.

I have also worked with undiagnosed adults who may be on the ASD spectrum and with parents of children diagnosed as being on the ASD spectrum.    


Occasionally individuals who feel they might benefit from attending counselling are reluctant to try it because it is new to them. If you are browsing this web-site because you have issues that are causing you distress I would be pleased to meet and discuss with you the therapies I practise and to explore how these may help you.

Whilst I favour Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) I work in an integrative manner blending the various therapies I have studied to create an approach personalised to the individual needs of each client.

I welcome both male and female clients from teenage years up. Prior to working as a counsellor my background was in education and I was a primary school principal for 18 years.

I work on on both short and long term approaches and I have worked with those on Employee Assistance programmes who wish support to help them return to work.

I have also wide experience in working with students taking personal therapy as part of their Counselling training.

Some comments from former clients about their therapy experience:

From our first meeting Loretta made me feel at ease. The worries and fear I had in the days and hours before melted away. Loretta was warm, sincere and genuine and I felt as if I had known her for years. That first meeting gave me the reassurance I needed to go back again. I was able to speak freely without fear of judgement or ridicule. This was something, I could never do. I could truly be myself as I felt safe and protected.

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all your help, I really feel I benefited immensely from it, and I look for possible alternatives now in my thought processes. I tell everyone who wants to listen that I have been to counselling and I really feel it helped me, and I personally feel in a much better place now myself.

This past year has been without doubt life changing. It wasn’t easy but anything in this life worth working for isn’t. I do look at things differently now, I have changed, others notice it but can’t really put their finger on it. I have now a greater understanding of myself and what I need and I have let go of everything and everyone who has held me back over the years. I no longer look back as my past is history, I look forward to many tomorrows and I enjoy the present as it is my gift. So thank you Loretta for giving me my gift. It will be forever unwrapped.




Training, qualifications & experience


My professional qualifications are:

M.A (Ed). (OU)
B.Ed. (QUB)
DASE. (QUB)
Higher Diploma in Counselling. (UU)
Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour (IICT)
Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CPCAB)

Further Professional Development in the areas of:

Sexual Abuse
Domestic Violence
Child Protection
Suicide Risk Awareness
Game Playing
Life Coaching

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

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.

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

Photos & videos

Fees

£35.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

£35 per 50 minute session. Please enquire for concession fees for students/unemployed.

For those who are new to counselling or who have some questions about it I offer a free initial 30 minute consultation (with no obligation to proceed further) on request.

This will be carried out by telephone or on-line at the moment.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

For the duration of this Coronavirus epidemic I will only be taking sessions via telephone or on-line. Please email me for availability details.

Further information

If you phone and I am unable to take your call please leave your details and let me know if you wish me to text or phone you back when I am free. I will get back to you as requested.

My premises are wheel-chair accessible.

Crumlin, Co. Antrim, BT29

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Employee Assistance Programme

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.

Mary Kelly
Mary Kelly