Registration on file

Mary Shiels, BACP

Mary Shiels is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom with three years of practice and a BACP accreditation.

About Mary

Mary Shiels is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom with three years of practice and a BACP accreditation. She works in a respectful, open way and aims to make therapy straightforward. People often seek her out for stress, anxiety, grief, depression and trauma and abuse concerns.

She offers clear, practical conversations rather than clinical jargon. Sessions focus on what matters now - easing panic, managing low mood, and addressing past hurts that still cause problems.

Background and approach

Mary pays particular attention to issues linked to identity and LGBT concerns and helps people explore those matters safely. Her background includes a range of therapeutic approaches. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify values and make meaningful changes.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is used for skills to manage anxiety and mood. Attachment-based ideas guide work on close relationships and patterns that repeat over time. Mary also uses elements of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy to teach emotion regulation and Client-Centred Therapy to keep the person's experience central.

Her style is warm and direct, with practical tools and reflective listening. She aims to help people feel steadier and more able to make choices day to day. Sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different needs.

International clients who speak English can work with her. To start, people complete an online matching questionnaire and then arrange sessions through the platform.

Details from the counsellor's public professional profile · registration number listed

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Registration

Body	Registration number	Expires
BACP	401572	November 2026

Registration details are as listed on the counsellor's public profile. You can check any number with the registering body.

Check on the BACP register

Sessions and payment

Sessions are held online through our partner platform, by video, phone or messaging depending on the counsellor.

Cost Costs are shown on the partner platform before you commit. If cost is a concern, ask about reduced-fee options.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Mary lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Ways of working Mary names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor lists and does not check training records.

How therapeutic approaches work online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people identify what matters to them and take small steps in that direction despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It is useful for anxiety, low mood and when life feels stuck.

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns formed in relationships and how those patterns affect current connections. It is often used when worries about trust, closeness or repeating relationship problems are present.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and suggest which methods to try first. Over time the plan can change depending on what helps most, and the work is adjusted to the person's pace and needs.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when a visual connection helps. Phone sessions can be shorter check-ins or suit lower bandwidth. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for people who prefer writing, want to reflect between messages, or need support outside normal hours.

These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caring responsibilities or distance. Registered professionals and therapists use these formats to provide consistent, structured support and to help clients work toward their goals.

Frequently asked

What concerns does Mary commonly help with?

She works with people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression and trauma and abuse. Additional focus areas include body image, panic, isolation and relationship patterns.

What style of therapy is used in sessions?

Mary blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Attachment-based ideas, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Client-Centred Therapy. Sessions combine practical skills with reflective conversation.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Mary has three years of professional experience working as a counsellor. That experience informs how she supports people with anxiety, trauma and related concerns.

What credentials and where is she based?

She holds accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, listed as BACP, and practises from the United Kingdom.

Can I work with Mary if I live outside the UK?

Yes. Sessions can be offered to international clients in English, enabling people in other countries to access her support.

Which session formats are available?

Therapy can take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging. Different formats suit different needs and schedules.

How are costs handled for sessions?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.

What do I do to begin working with Mary?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. After that you can schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.