Mary-Ellen Lukey

Current availability:

Online counselling - Monday/Wednesday evenings from 5.30pm

In Person counselling - Tuesday evenings from 6pm

Equine therapy - Saturday or Sunday mornings from 9am

I am a naturally warm and empathic person and so I am able to provide you with a safe and supportive environment for you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. As a person-centred counsellor, I believe in the importance of creating a space where you feel heard, valued, and empowered to lead the direction of your healing journey. Whether you’re seeking support online, in person, or through my unique equine-assisted approach, I am here to walk alongside you with compassion and understanding.

As well as running my own practice, I have a voluntary role as a Trauma Risk Management practitioner, assessing those who have experienced a traumatic event, I work to identify and mitigate risks associated with trauma exposure, particularly in workplace or community settings. This role has given me insight into how trauma manifests in various contexts, allowing me to offer practical and emotional support tailored to each individual’s unique circumstances.

I hold the following qualifications:

BACP approved CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

BTEC Level 3 Advanced Award in supporting trauma risk management

Mental Health First Aider

I also hold CPD certificates in Suicide first aid and equine therapy amongst others.

I offer a range of counselling services tailored to your individual needs and preferences. My approach is built on the principles of person-centred therapy, emphasising empathy, non-judgement and authenticity. This means that you are at the heart of the therapeutic process, and we work collaboratively to explore your challenges, strengths, and aspirations.

Person-centred therapy is grounded in the belief that each person has the inner resources and potential for personal growth and self-healing. My role as your counsellor is not to direct or instruct but to provide an environment where you feel empowered to explore and address the challenges you face.

Through empathetic listening and a non-judgmental approach, I aim to:

Support you in identifying and understanding your feelings.

Help you build resilience and self-compassion.

Empower you to develop healthier relationships and coping strategies.

This approach can be especially beneficial for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, or life transitions.

I can offer online counselling from anywhere in the UK, or in person counselling at a safe and confidential space in the heart of Littlehampton, West Sussex.

For clients seeking an alternative and deeply enriching therapeutic experience, I provide equine-assisted therapy. This unique approach involves working with horses to facilitate emotional growth and healing. Horses are incredibly intuitive animals, and their interactions can help you develop insights into trust, boundaries, and self-awareness in a non-judgmental and supportive environment.

I offer an initial free 20 minute consolation either on the telephone or online. During this consolation we can decide together if I am the best fit for your needs. If you choose to go ahead we can agree on a mutually convenient day and time slot for your sessions and I will ask you to complete a form to tell me a bit more about you, and I will send you a copy of my contract. I will ask for a copy of the completed form before our first session.

During the first session we will go through the contract and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions about the contract and how we will be working together. I will also ask you to complete a CORE 10 form. By the end of the first session we will have explored what your expectations of therapy are and what you would like to achieve from our sessions together.