Mary Watkins Counselling

Here to Listen and Support

The First Step...

...is to admit you want 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.

Speak in Confidence

I will listen to you without judgement and you can be assured that what you say will remain confidential. Once you have made contact we can arrange a convenient time to meet, I also offer a free initial 15 minute phone consultation where you can ask anything you would like to know about counselling.

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.

Make better, healthier new choices

Working together, I can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing. By inviting you to challenge your beliefs, 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 better, healthier choices 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 helped manage a local jewellery store for several years. During my time working 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 registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). 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

I will listen to you without judgement and you can be assured 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; I also offer a free initial 15 minute phone consultation where you can get a feel of what it would be like to work together and also ask anything you would like to know about counselling.

My location

I am based in Blackwood within easy reach of Caerphilly, Hengoed, 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 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

£50 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 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

What is Counselling?

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.

Will everything I say be kept confidential?

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 situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and 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 only happens after the person concerned has been informed.

Can I bring a friend or relative with me?

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.

How long will I need counselling?

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.

How long will I wait for an appointment?

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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