Mary Kelly
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello. Welcome to my site. I am a BACP accredited counsellor with wide experience in one-to-one client work.
I currently offer counselling face-to-face, or by telephone or via Zoom on-line.
I began to study to become a counsellor when I retired from my position as a head teacher in a primary school. After graduating 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 also have wide experience in working with students taking personal therapy as part of their Counselling training and I have worked with undiagnosed adults who consider they may be on the ASD spectrum and with parents of children on the spectrum.
I welcome both male and female clients from late teenage years (18) up.
Occasionally individuals who feel they might benefit from attending counselling are reluctant to try it because it is new to them. If this is you and you are browsing the web-site because you have issues that are causing you distress, I would be happy to discuss these with you and explain how the therapies I practise may be able to help you. I offer a free short session to allow us to explore this. Please contact me and ask for this if you are interested.
Whilst I favour Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) I respect that everyone’s needs are different and I find that working in an integrative manner allows me to blend the various therapies I have studied to create an approach personalised to the individual needs of my client.
Here are some comments from some of my former clients that convey how they found therapy. 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
school 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 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
Fees
£40.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£40 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.
When I work
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I work with clients two days per week. Those wishing to work with me may need to wait a few weeks for a suitable time. It can be useful if you indicate your availability in your email
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.