MS Portrait of Mary Shiels

Mary Shiels, BACP

Anxiety-focused counsellor for practical coping

3 years in practice · based in United Kingdom · sessions in English · online sessions

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About Mary

Mary Shiels is a counsellor who works with people facing anxiety, stress and mood struggles. She uses straightforward, practical methods to help people who feel overwhelmed by panic, grief, trauma or low mood. Mary holds BACP accreditation and brings three years of clinical experience to each conversation.

Her approach blends several evidence-informed methods to meet individual needs. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice painful thoughts without being driven by them.

Book with Mary Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Background and approach

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is used to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and test new behaviours. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills offer practical tools for managing strong emotions and distress. Mary also works with attachment issues, body image, communication problems and caregiving stress.

She supports people dealing with post-traumatic stress, panic attacks, social anxiety and the complex feelings that follow separation or loss. Sessions aim to be clear, paced, and focused on small steps that build noticeable change. In session she takes a client-centred stance, listening first and tailoring interventions to what each person needs.

That may include short-term strategies and longer work on deeper patterns. She describes therapy in plain language and checks in regularly about progress and goals. Mary offers online and remote formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging.

She sees people in the United Kingdom and accepts international clients, working in English.

Using practical therapies online for anxiety and trauma

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice uncomfortable thoughts and feelings without being ruled by them, and supports living according to personal values. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings and behaviours and helps test new ways of thinking and acting to reduce anxiety and panic. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) provides concrete skills for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to match methods to the person’s goals, needs and preferences. That might mean starting with short-term CBT techniques, adding ACT strategies for meaning and values, or practising DBT skills between sessions depending on what helps most.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how people engage. Video calls allow visual connection for deeper conversation, phone sessions can fit into a busy day, and live chat or text-based messaging make short check-ins or step-by-step skill coaching possible. These options help people keep continuity of care when travel, work or other commitments make in-person sessions difficult, while keeping the focus on practical progress and day-to-day coping.
Book with Mary Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What concerns does Mary commonly help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, grief and trauma. Additional areas include body image, attachment issues and social anxiety.
What is Mary’s therapy style like?
Mary uses a client-centred style with practical tools. Sessions focus on skills and talk combined to address immediate problems and longer patterns.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Mary has three years of experience working as a counsellor and trainer. That experience includes work with trauma, bereavement and anxiety-related presentations.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is registered with BACP and is based in the United Kingdom.
Which languages and international arrangements are offered?
Sessions are offered in English and Mary accepts international clients.
In what formats are sessions delivered?
Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to suit different preferences.
How are costs and payments handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with Mary?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Experience
3 years
Licensed
Languages
English

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