Mary Shiels, BACP
3 years in practice
Mary Shiels is a counsellor who uses an existential approach to help people find meaning and direction.
License and registration
- BACP
- 401572 · expires November 2026
- Years in practice
- 3
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the registration with the body that granted it.
About Mary
Mary Shiels is a counsellor who uses an existential approach to help people find meaning and direction. She combines that with practical, evidence-informed methods to address anxiety, stress, trauma and mood concerns. Mary speaks plainly and aims to make sessions feel straightforward and useful for everyday life.
She has three years of professional experience and holds BACP accreditation, which is listed as BACP. Mary offers support to people who identify as LGBT and to others facing related questions about identity and relationships.
Background and approach
She also works with people managing grief, panic, post-traumatic stress and generalised anxiety. In sessions Mary draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice difficult thoughts and take values-led action. Attachment-based and client-centred ideas shape how she builds trust and listens, so people feel understood as they talk through sensitive material.
The focus is on practical steps and clearer perspective rather than jargon. Her background includes work with trauma, bereavement and emotional regulation. Mary also brings experience with body-image concerns, caregiver stress, communication and relationship break-up issues.
She offers a calm, direct style that aims to help people reduce distress and make day-to-day changes. Mary provides therapy in English to people across the United Kingdom and internationally. Sessions are available via video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, using a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Mary lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Depression
- Attachment issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
Approaches Mary names
- Existential Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Existential therapy helps people address big questions about meaning, choice and identity. It encourages honest conversation about values and the things that matter most, which can help when someone feels stuck or unsure of direction.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without getting ruled by them and taking actions that match a person's values. It is often used for anxiety, low mood and stress because it offers simple exercises to change how someone relates to difficult experiences.
Attachment-based approaches look at patterns in how people connect and respond to others. This can be useful for issues like loneliness, communication problems and difficulties forming trusting relationships because it highlights repeated responses and how to try new ways of relating.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and adapt methods together so therapy fits the person's needs. That collaborative process helps shape whether sessions lean more towards reflection, skills practice or relationship-focused work.
Online therapy here is available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and shared exercises. Phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging suit shorter check-ins or people who prefer writing their thoughts. These options give flexibility for fitting therapy around work, caring duties and day-to-day life.
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Questions people ask
What concerns does Mary commonly help with?
She supports people experiencing stress, anxiety, grief and depression. Mary also works with trauma and concerns linked to identity and sexual orientation.
What is Mary’s therapy style like?
Her work blends an existential outlook with practical therapies like ACT and CBT. Sessions aim to clarify values, reduce distressing thoughts and develop everyday coping skills.
What professional background does she have?
Mary has three years of experience and has worked with trauma, bereavement and emotional regulation. She also offers support around body image, caregiver stress and communication problems.
What credential does Mary hold and where is she based?
She is listed with BACP and works from the United Kingdom. The profile notes BACP as the credential detail provided.
Which languages and regions are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and Mary accepts clients in the United Kingdom and internationally.
Which session formats are offered?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. These options allow different ways to check in and work through issues.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with Mary?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to therapist availability.
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