Mary Mortimer

I currently have day time and evening spaces available.

Is something wrong in your life? Do you think there's something wrong with you? You are not alone. Instead of "what's wrong with you?" I ask, "what's happened to you?" I listen, and together we can work things out. Talking really does help.

Maybe something from long ago is affecting you today. Perhaps recent experiences have triggered upsetting memories. Life or relationships might  feel unfulfilling, or depressing and full of anxiety. Or perhaps like a great big tangled up combination of feelings and things you want to change but don't know how.

Expressing your feelings, talking things through,  and getting to know yourself brings relief, makes things clearer and opens up choices. It's hard work, but my regular, compassionate, skilled and confidential support makes it possible and so rewarding.

I don't confine my work to any particular specialism. I know how early experiences affect us life-long. I'm deeply interested in the effects of trauma, loss and grief at any age and how the counselling relationship can heal. I'm interested in anything you want to tell me - about problems or distress, and the good things too.

MY BACKGROUND: Many moons ago I was a nurse, midwife and health visitor in the NHS and a support worker with The Children's Society. I've volunteered as a bereavement counsellor with Cruse Bereavement Care, and for Mind in one of their peer support groups   After many counselling and psychotherapy courses and loads of life experience I'm now an experienced therapeutic counsellor with a small private practice in Wiltshire. 

WHERE? I'm based in a quiet ground floor room overlooking a            tranquil garden in Potterne, near Devizes, Wiltshire

WHO? I work individually with adults, (18 and over) 1:1. I have experience with people from 18 to 80+ and welcome you, in all your individuality and diversity.

HOW? In person, face to face, in my room in Potterne.                Online via zoom if you're further afield, and                                          On the phone.                                                                                                Or a combination, to suit you.

HOW LONG? I offer short-term (time limited) and long-term (open ended) work: sometimes one develops into the other.

HOW OFTEN? Weekly or possibly fortnightly on a regular day and time (with some flexibility).

MY APPROACH. Person-centred (I try to understand your life from your point-of-view. You decide what to talk about. I support you to make your own decisions - I won't give you advice!)

Relational (I "set the scene" for a good working relationship. We may use the way we relate to one another to understand your relationships with others).

Integrative (I tailor my approach according to your needs rather than follow any particular theory or practice, integrating person-centred and relational approaches).

Please phone, text or email me and I'll reply as soon as I can. If I'm unable to answer the phone, please leave a message - thank you. 

I charge my usual fee for an "initial"  session, but we can have a free 10-15 minute phone or zoom call first, by arrangement,  to help you decide if you would like one.

At the initial session I'll give you my working and confidentiality agreements, but it's mainly time for you to tell me what you want help with and for us to get to know each other a bit, and decide if I'm the right person for you. It's important to find someone you can trust and feel comfortable with, and you're under no obligation to continue at any stage. 

If you decide to go ahead, we'll set up regular appointments and go from there. If I'm seeing you in person, I can offer phone or zoom calls for times you're away, perhaps on holiday, so that you don't have to miss a session.