Marie Fernandes

Counselling can be the start of a better, calmer, happier way of life and it is my privilege to witness this in the clients I work with.  The decision to undertake therapy isn't an easy one to make and I understand there are often doubts and hesitations. My aim is to create a safe, comfortable space where we can work at your pace and with your aims and feelings are at the centre of the process.

My particular areas of expertise are in anxiety, depression and trauma. I encourage clients to become aware of how they feel and to understand the origin of their difficulties in order to manage the changes they wish to see in their lives.

As a counsellor I work integratively. This means that, rather than using a single approach, the therapy I offer uses different theories and methods, tailored towards individual issues, needs and requirements. This allows me to focus on my clients and work flexibly towards the outcomes they wish to achieve. At the heart of this approach is building a strong effective therapeutic relationship to offer the best possible outcomes.

I am a fully qualified, professional therapist, accredited and registered by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I have undertaken extensive training in counselling and have accumulated many years of experience in client work. In addition to private practice, I have worked and continue to work, as a counsellor in a range of settings including a London university (seeing students and staff), a Hospice and Bereavement Counselling service and a leading UK mental health charity. As a member of the BACP I am committed to meeting ongoing requirements for training and supervision to maintain the standards of my practice.

I am working with clients face to face, online or on the phone, dependent on individual preference.

My practice room is a conservatory, looking out to a peaceful, private green garden.  It is sheltered by beautiful trees and offers a bright, calm space for our work together.  

Starting therapy can seem very daunting.  My role is to make you help you to feel comfortable and relaxed as soon as possible.

Before we start working together we will usually have had a brief chat to arrange our session time.  This also helps us to start becoming more familiar with each other.  I'll have sent and received back from you a brief questionnaire asking about contact details and some background information.  I'll also forward some details about how I work and the commitments you can expect from me as your therapist.

At the start of the session I ask if you have any questions before we begin therapeutic work.  I will also encourage you to speak as freely as possible as I won't make any judgements and what is said will remain confidential.    

I ask about what brought you to therapy.  There may be specific goals or difficulties or more general aims.  If needed, in the first session I also offer some practical suggestions around managing conditions such as anxiety or depresssion, otherwise we will use the time to reflect on your what you choose to bring and I hope develop the basis for a successful therapeutic relationship.

I offer supervision to counsellors working with adults or children, as well as others in helping professions, who may benefit from reflecting on their work and clients in a confidential and supportive environment.

I am a fully trained integrative therapist and have been supervising fellow counsellors for a number of years. In addition I have completed additional training in supervision (Level 6 CPCAB Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision). I have worked with counsellors from a wide range of theoretical orientations and as I myself practice integratively am able to be flexible and tailored in my approach. My own background and ongoing work is with adults, young people and children.

My approach within supervision is that we are always learning, whether things are going well or we are encountering difficulties with our clients. I believe that by offer fellow therapists and others in people centred environments, an effective, non judgemental professional relationship and a safe confidential space to reflect on practice, we can grow and develop in our work.

For face to face supervision I work from a garden facing conservatory which looks out to a calm, private space surrounded by trees. 

I am also offering supervision via online video or phone as an ongoing part of my practice.

My focus throughout supervision is always on supporting and developing your practice, using my experience and learning.  

I try to understand your modality and way of working. I see this time as an opportunity for you to reflect on your practice and clients.  We may explore what is going well, consider options where there are difficulties and hold clients in mind throughout.  We will also consider your viewpoints, experiences and direction.