- ACT
- CBT
- Attachment work
About Mary
Mary Shiels is a BACP registered counsellor working in the United Kingdom with three years' experience. She works with stress, anxiety, LGBT concerns, trauma and abuse, grief and depression, and focuses on issues such as attachment, body image, caregiver stress, communication problems, control issues, divorce and separation, forgiveness, guilt and shame, and isolation.
Mary offers straightforward, talk-based sessions where she listens and reflects back what she hears. She uses a mix of approaches to help people notice patterns in their thinking and behaviour. Sessions include practical tools for managing panic, mood swings and overwhelming emotions.
Her background includes work with people affected by sexual violence and support for sex workers, and she has a training role as an ambassador in related areas. She also uses trauma-led methods alongside techniques that build emotional regulation and resilience.
Mary draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and take small, values-led steps. She also uses Attachment-Based ideas to look at how early relationships shape current difficulties. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills appear alongside client-centred listening in her sessions.
People meet practical strategies for anxiety, resources for grief, and focused work on feelings such as guilt and shame. The approach combines talking things through, practising new skills, and looking at what matters most to the person.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Mary commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy in her work. ACT helps people notice painful thoughts and choose actions that match their values rather than getting stuck in avoidance; it can be useful for persistent guilt, anxiety and rumination. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current feelings and patterns, helping people understand connection, trust and hurt in present relationships.Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. Mary works with each person to decide what feels most useful, adjusting methods as sessions progress and as priorities change. That means starting with what worries the person most and testing out techniques together rather than assuming a single route will fit.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Practical benefits include being able to access the same therapeutic approaches from different locations and using digital tools to practise skills between sessions.
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 work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, LGBT issues, trauma and abuse, grief and depression. Additional focuses include attachment issues, body image, caregiver stress, communication, control, divorce, forgiveness, guilt and shame and loneliness.
How does she approach guilt and shame?
Mary uses approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help people notice thoughts and patterns. Sessions also include emotionally focused and attachment-informed work to understand where those feelings come from.
What is her professional background?
She has three years of counselling experience and roles that include training and public speaking. Her background includes work related to sexual violence and support for sex workers.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
Mary is BACP registered and practises in the United Kingdom.
Do sessions take place in English or other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She accepts international clients.
How do sessions and costs work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.