Marianne Oakes

I have appointments available Daytime/Evening and Saturday Mornings. 

I believe in the therapeutic relationship being strong and robust where I can walk with my clients and they will feel safe and secure wherever they lead me and no matter what they say, they will know they won't be judged. Building a safe environment where my clients are able to speak freely and without fear of prejudice and confident that everything is confidential and secure is a big part of my role as a counsellor. Although my main focus is the LGBTQ+ community, and my lived experience as a transgender woman plays a role in the empathy I will always strive to offer no matter what your background is or where you are from, a skill that is transferable to the wider society. 

Carl Rogers believed that we can't change who we are, but as we start to understand ourselves, change happens. This is at the heart of my work, helping people to see their life and their situation for what it is and helping them to affect the changes they need to find true fulfilment in everything they do and are yet to do. From your relationships to your careers, from your family and friends to your hobbies and past times, I strive to help you make the best of everything that is your potential. 

I'm also realistic that, for some people, I'm a therapeutic friend who is by their side through some of the lowest times in their life, offering a mere flicker of light in a seemingly dark world. I'm happy to just be there, offering a shoulder to lean on when you most need it. When everything I have to offer is not important, and I am just there walking along side and just being present. 

I am a counsellor, but first and foremost I am a human soul, as are my clients and I never loose sight of this, because sometimes, thats all I need to be for my clients.  

I will always endevour to put my clients at ease and offer a warm welcome. I will  always try to engage in conversation which will lead to exploration of my clients needs while being aware that too much to soon will overwhelm the client, so getting to know you is crucial so I can read the situations to keep you safe. A lot of people come into therapy cynical about the process, and again, you can expect me to work hard to help you make the most of the therapeutic process, even with the most ardent of clients. 

I understand counselling is a big commitment, not just mentally and emotionally, but also financially and I am nothing if not hard working and industrious in the therapy room and I will use all my skills to help you make the most of your investment in self. 

I am acutely aware that I can't be the right counsellor for everyone and different people need different therapist for lots of reasons, so I will never be offended if you found therapy for me was not working, I will always promote the therapeutic relationship above anything else and this requires 2 people connecting and forming a productive counselling relationship above anything else. 

I believe a large part of the therapeutic process are the people in the sessions. For this reason the first appointment, I like to offer a free 30 minute zoom call where each client can get to meet me and we can discuss how I might be able to help, and what they themselves would like to get from the counselling process before any financial commitment is made. After this initial appointment you will then be able to decide if you wish to continue accessing therapy using my services. 

I do currently have availability in the evenings and Saturdays.

I am trained as a person centred counsellor with over 10 years experience, however, I have an interest in Existential and Trauma Therapy. My main area of work is with the LGBTQA+ community and those who support them as well as diverse relationships including polyamory and kink. 

As a transgender woman I have faced many of the issues that my clients are experiencing and this puts me, for many of my clients, in a unique position of understanding. If you are questioning your gender, sexuality or are an ally please contact me and lets set up an appointment so you can start and move forward to what could be a brighter future.