Mary Shiels, BACP
LGBTQIA+ focused therapist for anxiety and trauma
- LGBTQIA+ affirming care
- Trauma and anxiety specialist
- Accepting international clients
About Mary Shiels
Mary Shiels is a counsellor, trainer, and TEDx speaker who brings a focused, compassionate approach to work with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, and depression. She practises with an explicit commitment to LGBTQIA+ clients and those who identify as gender, sex, or relationship diverse, offering non-judgmental support for a wide spectrum of sexual and gender expressions.
Her practice includes specialised work with consensual and non-traditional sexualities and support for sex workers, and she serves as an ambassador in Ireland for training related to consensual practices and preventing sexual violence among teenagers and adults. Mary also uses the Clearing Method to help clients uncover and address deep-seated wounds, and describes herself as an Emotional Mastery specialist who works toward a stronger body-mind connection.
Mary offers trauma-led therapy and draws on evidence-informed modalities including solution-focused brief therapy, mindfulness, and resilience-building techniques. She works with people experiencing bereavement and loss, post-traumatic stress, childhood and adult sexual abuse, domestic abuse and coercive control, as well as neurodevelopmental considerations such as ADHD, ADD, ASD, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
Mary holds BACP credentials - membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and has developed particular expertise in anxiety and panic, attachment issues, body image, caregiver stress, communication and control problems, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, isolation, life purpose, mood disorders, panic disorder, self-love, social anxiety, and related concerns. She accepts clients in the United Kingdom and works with international clients as well.
Her practice includes specialised work with consensual and non-traditional sexualities and support for sex workers, and she serves as an ambassador in Ireland for training related to consensual practices and preventing sexual violence among teenagers and adults. Mary also uses the Clearing Method to help clients uncover and address deep-seated wounds, and describes herself as an Emotional Mastery specialist who works toward a stronger body-mind connection.
Mary offers trauma-led therapy and draws on evidence-informed modalities including solution-focused brief therapy, mindfulness, and resilience-building techniques. She works with people experiencing bereavement and loss, post-traumatic stress, childhood and adult sexual abuse, domestic abuse and coercive control, as well as neurodevelopmental considerations such as ADHD, ADD, ASD, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
Mary holds BACP credentials - membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and has developed particular expertise in anxiety and panic, attachment issues, body image, caregiver stress, communication and control problems, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, isolation, life purpose, mood disorders, panic disorder, self-love, social anxiety, and related concerns. She accepts clients in the United Kingdom and works with international clients as well.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Additional Focus Areas
Attachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobia
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Mary Shiels have?
Mary Shiels has 3 years of experience.
Is Mary Shiels a registered therapist?
Yes. She holds the BACP credential.
In which languages does Mary Shiels provide therapy?
Mary provides therapy in English.
Where is Mary Shiels located?
Mary is located in the United Kingdom.
How can I work with Mary Shiels as my therapist?
You can work with Mary through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Mary Shiels work with international clients?
Yes, Mary works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Mary Shiels cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with Mary. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Mary blends practical, evidence-informed techniques to help clients clarify values, process difficult emotions, and build coping skills. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, encourages people to accept uncomfortable thoughts and feelings while taking committed action toward meaningful life goals - it is often helpful for anxiety, rumination, and stress. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns formed in early relationships and how they shape current bonds and emotional responses, which can be especially useful for attachment issues, relationship difficulties, and caregiving stress. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people identify and reframe unhelpful thoughts and behaviors with structured strategies that support mood and anxiety management.Mary approaches treatment collaboratively, exploring different methods with each client to find the best fit for their needs, goals, and preferences. She works with clients to tailor interventions and adjusts the approach as therapy progresses so that the plan reflects what is most helpful for the individual.
Online therapy with Mary is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for people with busy schedules, mobility limits, or who are located outside her base country. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access timely support, and fit therapy into everyday life with fewer logistical barriers.