Marie Clark, MBACP

My path to counselling started with a life long interest in the human experience and a desire to help others. Experiencing some significant life events threw me into a period of deep personal struggle and I found myself confronted with many issues that I had been doing my best to ignore. Seeing a counsellor was the first step in a process of growth and healing to build a more genuine life, including becoming a counsellor and psychotherapist myself!

I have supported adults through local charities, an NHS drug and alcohol service, and as a volunteer counsellor with a trans+ support charity. I value difference, everyone is unique and deserves the chance to live in a way that feels authentic to them.

Alongside my counselling practice I have experience working with marginalised groups, including people experiencing homelessness, women involved with the justice system, and refugees and asylum seekers. I also have experience of serving and living within the military community and understand some of the challenges that face veterans, service members and their families.

Problem drinking, addictions and recovery

My particular area of interest is working with people seeking change in their relationship with alcohol or drugs and I have been supporting people in recovery for over seven years.

Everyone deserves to feel in control of their life and I am passionate about helping people who wish to free themselves from reliance on drink or drugs and build a more genuine life in recovery. Read more about support for drinking, addiction and recovery here.

My philosophy

My values as a client-centred (or person-centred) therapist are rooted in a deep respect for the uniqueness of every individual and their right to live life in a way which feels true to their genuine self. I believe that you, and only you, can decide what is right for you and that everyone, given the right environment to do so, can flourish.

It is the relationship that heals, so my role is to listen and understand your world as you see it, with compassion and without judgement. This means your experiences and perspectives are at the heart of our work together; I am not there to analyse you or tell you what you should think or do. Instead, I will help you connect to your authentic self and strengthen on your own resources to build foundations for long-lasting change.