If you would like to get in touch, call or WhatsApp Mary on
07546 627 360 or email pathwaytopeacecounselling@outlook.com
"Even the greatest storm will pass"
Every storm will pass, but sometimes when things get tough it helps to have someone you feel completely safe with to confide in. This is your time and space to work towards reaching your true and authentic self. However small those first steps might be, I will be by your side to support you on your journey.
This is a safe and ethically bound opportunity for your self-discovery or recovery and reaching a calm, peaceful mind, a relaxed body and a contented future. Through brave, whole-hearted reflection and a positive approach, you can move forward, leaving negative issues from the past behind you. This may simply be a space to offload current stresses and pressures of life - free from criticism or judgement. It's your call.
ABOUT ME & MY PRACTICE
Hello, I'm Mary,
I'm thrilled you've found your way here. As a qualified therapist and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I provide professional counselling in Chelmsford with a warm, empathetic touch.
My journey in mental health care started when I was an NNEB-certified nursery nurse and a Hospital Play Specialist. Those roles taught me a lot about resilience and the human spirit. In 2015, I became a Samaritan Listening Volunteer, supporting people through some of their darkest times, from struggling to cope to facing risks of suicide. Since then, I've earned my diploma in integrative counselling and I'm currently diving deeper into trauma-informed therapy.
I run my own practice called Pathway to Peace Counselling in Chelmsford. Besides that, I'm still a volunteer with the Samaritans and at Sanctus, helping homeless and vulnerable people right here in our community. I've also lent a hand as a bereavement counsellor at Farleigh Hospice.
Our sessions will be for 50 minutes and are generally once a week at the same time/day/venue. Although I can offer some flexibility (for instance if you do shift work) this does need to be discussed and planned for in advance. We can also address whether you are seeking short-term counselling (with a set number of sessions to work within) and with a focus on exactly what you want to achieve and how we are going to go about that. Or perhaps you prefer to have an open-ended amount of sessions and see how it goes and what comes up for you. You may have a specific issue you want to tackle or you may want to learn more about yourself and where your behaviours and responses are rooted. I can be flexible on how we work together and am able to tailor our sessions to what suits you best.
MARY WHITAKER
MY THERAPY ROOM
My practice is fully wheelchair accessible, located on the ground floor at Chelmsford Therapy Rooms 212a Baddow Road Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9QR
There is minimal parking on site and street parking available locally. The practice is widely accessible by public transport with the train and bus station approximately 1 mile from the practice. There are also public and supermarket car parks close by.
CONVERSATIONS YOUR WAY
ABOUT OUR SESSIONS
Whatever you choose to bring to my Chelmsford therapy room, we will work together with warmth and empathy. This may involve reaching back in more depth to the root causes of your current feelings and beliefs, examining how past events—from childhood to the present—have shaped your well-being.
We might focus on various aspects such as your identity, culture, sexuality, traumatic experiences, family dynamics, bereavement, or physical and mental health challenges that contribute to stress, dissatisfaction, or unhelpful behaviours.
Together, we could work on establishing healthy boundaries, developing effective coping skills and strategies, or practising mindfulness and relaxation techniques tailored to your needs. The direction we take is entirely up to you.
I look forward to meeting you soon, whether it's to gain greater self-awareness or simply just to offload some of your baggage!
TYPES OF THERAPY AVAILABLE
At my Chelmsford counselling practice, I use a variety of methods to suit your personal needs. Think of it as a mix-and-match approach where we can use traditional talking therapies, like understanding your past (psychodynamic) and focusing on your current thoughts and feelings (person-centred), as well as practical techniques to help you find solutions (solution-focused therapy). We’ll also explore mindfulness and body awareness, recognising that your emotional and physical health are closely linked. The idea is to look after your entire wellbeing, shaping the therapy to fit who you are, what you’ve been through, and what feels right for you.
SESSIONS
My most popular model of therapy is a fifty-minute session, once per week, but I am happy to offer flexibility with this, whether you would prefer more ad-hoc sessions or are interested in speaking to me more often or for longer than this.
Fees: £50 - (50 minutes) paid in advance
TELEPHONE, ONLINE OR IN PERSON
Our sessions together can be face-to-face, online, or over the telephone. If you would like to speak to me, I will try my best to accommodate whichever method you choose.
WHERE TO START
FREE INTRO CALL
YOUR FIRST SESSION
HERE TO SUPPORT YOUR JOURNEY
I provide a free 15-minute introductory phone consultation for those interested in my counselling services. It's a chance for us to talk about your motivations for seeking therapy, and your goals for our sessions, and to determine how we can collaborate effectively, whether at my therapy room in Chelmsford, over the phone, or online.
Our initial session is designed to establish a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship, offering you a comfortable space to share openly. Whether you're exploring therapy options for anxiety, stress, personal growth, or other mental health support, you’ll be met with understanding and non-judgment.
If you're taking your first steps into talking therapy, it's completely normal to feel apprehensive. Those with prior experience in counselling will find a familiar and structured approach. We'll go over the therapy process, clarify our mutual responsibilities, and set the stage for your journey.
Remember, as we move forward, the time in our counselling sessions belongs to you. It's your opportunity to utilise this space for healing, reflection, and growth, at a pace that respects and responds to your individual needs.
"Mary has been fantastic for me, her listening and advice and her wonderful skills which I really appreciate"
"Your Kind Counsel has been invaluable on my grief journey"
"Mary helped my through the most horrific time, the loss of my Son through Suicide. She listened to my outpourings of raw grief, along with feelings of guilt and the many what ifs. Mary helped me get to a point where I can cope with his loss and even find peace again, which I thought would be impossible."
"A huge thank you.....the advice and knowledge you have passed on to me has helped me understand and move on after my loss"
"Thank you for the insight you have given, it has been so valuable and the sessions have been incredibly helpful"
" Mary is, in my experience, very conscientious and scrupulous in the way she works. She has a genuine warm, empathic way of being and in addition genuinely cares about her clients. I would happily recommend Mary as I am confident she is capable and competent and I consider myself fortunate in being counselled by Mary"
TESTIMONIALS
MY PRACTICE
ADDRESS
212a Baddow Road,
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 9QR
GET IN TOUCH
I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU
Counselling in Chelmsford, Essex.
With you on your pathway to peace.
At Pathway to Peace Counselling in Chelmsford, I provide a compassionate environment for managing mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and ADHD, as well as guidance through personal challenges like low self-esteem, family conflicts, and the aftermath of trauma. My practice encompasses a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), person-centred therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and integrative techniques. I also offer specialised support for concerns such as OCD, PTSD, bereavement, and the complexities of relationships, whether it's relationship counselling, dealing with affairs, or navigating the nuances of sexuality and identity. My aim is to facilitate a path towards a more peaceful, fulfilling life, tailored to each individual's journey.