Mary Watkins Counselling
"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
Aaron T. Beck
The First Step...
...is to admit you'd like help and to look for a counsellor
We can all feel lost, unsure, or unhappy at times. Sometimes we feel ashamed and guilty because to the outside world we appear to 'have it all.' Friends and family may ask 'what do you have to be worried about, you have everything.' Which has the effect of making us more reluctant to ask for help.
As a qualified counsellor who has had these emotions and feelings, I have an idea of how that feels. I can help you with anxiety, depression and intrusive thoughts. Maybe you've lost confidence in yourself, or distressing events from the past keep resurfacing; perhaps you are grieving and friends and family are telling you should be 'over it.'
We are all doing our best but sometimes need someone to hear us. You may feel it's too late to change, but it's only too late if you don't start now! The next step is to call or email me.
If you'd like to get more of a feel for who I am, click on the Instagram icon, top right of this page or bottom right if you are reading on a mobile phone
Do I really need counselling?
I should be able to sort this out for myself, do I really need help?"
A lot of the time it is possible to 'sort things out' however, sometimes we can become so overwhelmed with a problem or fear that we go around in circles trying to reassure ourselves or asking others for reassurance, yet never finding a satisfactory answer.
A problem shared...
I can't promise to make all your problems disappear; looking at our hopes and fears isn't easy. By working together in counselling I hope to ease that burden and help you find a better understanding of yourself and therefore a more fulfilling and contented life. Counselling could be the best gift you ever give yourself.
“What I am is good enough
if I would only be it openly.”
Carl R. Rogers
Working together, I can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing. By inviting you to challenge your beliefs about yourself and others, I can help you understand why you act or react to things in the the way you do, and discover how you can start to make more considered, healthier decisions in your life.
About Me
I began my working life in British Telecom, Cardiff more years ago than I care to remember.
I worked in many departments including Customer Service which gave me experience of listening to and helping people. I gave up work for a few years to raise a family and then worked in retail for several years. During my time in retail I realised that I enjoyed talking to and listening to people and putting them at ease.
Customers often told me about their lives and said they felt better for talking to me. I like to think my empathy helped them feel better about themselves.
I am accredited with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I have completed the Cruse Bereavement Care training and
I also hold a Level 5 Diploma in Trauma Informed Counselling with New Pathways. I am a mental health counsellor with experience in helping people with distressing life events, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, depression and bereavement.
I have worked with the following agencies:
- Counsellor for 2wish (agency providing counselling for families whose child has died unexpectedly under the age of 25)
- Counsellor for New Pathways (an agency providing specialist counselling and advocacy services for women, men, children and young people who have been affected by rape or sexual abuse.)
- Counsellor for Mind Mental Health Charity
- Cruse Bereavement Care - grief counselling
Contact me on 07415 014690. I may not be able to answer straight away, but if you leave a message I'll get back to you as soon as I'm free.
What issues can counselling help with?
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Panic attacks
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Health anxiety
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Abuse
Depression
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
Anger management
Menopause
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Problems with family
Burnout
Speak In Confidence
You can be assured that anything you tell me will be listened to without judgement and that what you say will remain confidential. Once you have made contact we can arrange a convenient time to meet at my room in Blackwood.
My location
I am based in Blackwood within easy reach of Caerphilly, Hengoed, Ystrad Mynach, Bargoed, Maesycwmmer, Newport and Tredegar.
The premises is accessible for those with mobility difficulties.
Session Information
Counselling sessions are for 1 hour. The first session will be your opportunity to talk about what is worrying you and many people say they feel a weight lifting from sharing their hopes and fears. If you feel comfortable and would like to work with me, we will book another counselling appointment. Some people work with me long term, others only need a few sessions. We can review regularly to understand what works for you.
Fees
Single Counselling Sessions
£55 per session
If you want to know more, please feel free to email or ring me via the details given in the contact area. I look forward to meeting you.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me via the form below if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07415 014690 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Counselling is a 'talking therapy' which allows people to talk about their worries and fears in a safe, confidential environment. I will listen without judgement without giving advice; I will help you to find your own way of making changes to your life and help you find new perspectives on your problems.
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
Note that there are some caveats; if you disclosed you knew of harm to a child, or that you were involved in terrorism or money laundering, there the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though, and generally only happens after the person concerned has been informed.
Usually I am asked this question by people who are nervous about entering into counselling, or when they are looking for support in coming to see a therapist. This anxiety is understandable, but a key aspect of therapy is that you should feel free to talk about any issues you feel are important to you. Having someone else with you who can be connected those issues makes this opening-up more difficult, so for this reason I do not see clients accompanied by friends or family.
The length of time depends on you needs and circumstance. Generally clients say they feel a change after 6 weekly sessions. Some clients do well with 2 weekly appointments, transitioning to once a month. Ultimately the decision is yours.
My aim is to offer a first appointment – known as an initial assessment – within 1-2 weeks.
We would then arrange further appointments at a time and date convenient for both of us.
© Mary Watkins
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