Mary Schrider

I am available for face-to-face, online or telephone sessions throughout the week. Please get in touch to discuss exact availability.

Hello! I’m Mary, a qualified relational counsellor and psychotherapist, working with adults and young people over the age of 18. In addition to my private practice, I am a counsellor at Cancer Support Yorkshire, working with clients facing issues such as long-term illness, end of life care or bereavement.

You may be reading this because you have experienced a personal challenge, or perhaps you want to better understand aspects of yourself or your relationships with others. Whatever the reason, I am committed to providing a warm, compassionate and curious space where we can explore these issues together.

But what does that mean practically? My training and experience have taught me that the relationship between therapist and client is the key ingredient to success in therapy and that it can be a powerful tool for healing. This has been confirmed by my work with clients on issues such as low mood, depression, stress, anxiety, transition, loss and trauma.

I understand that choosing the right therapist can feel like a daunting task, and I aim to make this easier by outlining the way I work below. If you decide I might be a good fit, I am happy to offer a no-obligation complimentary 15-minute chat online or by telephone, which may help guide your decision.

My approach is inherently relational and client-led, meaning that you set the pace and the agenda, whilst I provide a secure space where you will feel genuinely seen, heard and understood, without fear of judgement. I call upon various therapeutic models to better meet your individual needs or goals, aware that we all have different needs at different times.

The foundation of my approach is built on the principles of humanistic-existential therapies, which means I am happy to help you explore questions around life’s meaning or the challenges of being human. I will work to help you face your difficulties, ask meaningful questions about your life, and find clarity and perspective around the choices available to you.

My practice is also informed by attachment theory, which looks at how early relationships impact how we form and maintain relationships throughout our lives. Our work together can help you explore your relational patterns and look at any changes you would like to make going forward.

I have also undertaken additional training in Transactional Analysis, which I use as tool in the therapeutic space to help you identify patterns of communication which may hinder your potential and explore alternative ways of being.

My intention is that by the end of our time together you will gain deeper insight and understanding of yourself and your relationships, empowering you to recognise your inner tools, trust your instincts and make meaningful changes in your life.