- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Attachment focus
About Mary
Mary Shiels is a BACP counsellor practising in the United Kingdom with three years' clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, trauma and issues related to LGBT identity. Mary also lists life purpose among her areas of focus and supports clients exploring what matters after major change.
She uses a range of therapy methods including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Attachment-Based Therapy and Client-Centred Therapy. Sessions centre on clear, practical steps and on understanding how past experiences shape present choices. Conversations aim to make difficult feelings easier to name and manage.
Mary has background work addressing trauma and abuse, panic and post-traumatic stress, and body-mind connections that affect anxiety and self-image. She also helps with caregiver stress, communication problems, control issues, and the emotional effects of separation. Work on guilt, shame, forgiveness and isolation is offered alongside mood and panic support.
Her approach combines practical strategies with attention to attachment patterns and emotional regulation. That can mean learning techniques from CBT or DBT, and also exploring values and acceptance through ACT. Sessions are presented in plain terms so people can try new ways of responding between meetings.
Mary offers sessions in English and accepts international clients. Costs vary by location and sessions are arranged via a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time. To begin, users complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How her therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people identify what matters to them and take small, values-based steps even when hard feelings are present. It is often used for anxiety, uncertainty about life direction and ongoing low mood. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on practical skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours; it can be useful for panic, social anxiety and mood difficulties. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships affect current connections and communication, and can help with relationship patterns, loneliness and trust issues.Choosing an approach is part of the work. Mary will discuss different methods and work with the client to decide what fits their goals and preferences. The aim is collaborative: try a method, review how it goes, and adjust as needed so the sessions match what the person needs right now.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online counselling can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. It also lets people work from different locations and use techniques between sessions more readily. Registered or accredited professionals can offer structured programmes or open-ended sessions depending on what a client prefers, and Mary will help plan sessions that fit practical commitments and therapy goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
3+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, trauma and LGBT related issues, and also lists life purpose among her focus areas.
How would she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
Mary uses practical methods from ACT and CBT alongside attachment-informed work to help people clarify values and try small changes between sessions.
What experience does she have?
She has three years' clinical experience and describes work with trauma, panic, post-traumatic stress and body-mind concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
Mary is registered with the BACP and practises in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She accepts international clients.
How are sessions paid for?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What are the steps to start?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.