Marie Varney

On Mondays and Wednesdays I work from The Grove Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. These are lovely, welcoming premises with a discreet back door entrance, to give you privacy.

Mondays 9.30am - 2pm

Tuesdays 10.30am - 5pm (online only)

Wednesdays 10am - 7.30pm

Thursdays 10.30am - 5pm (online only)

I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions, and am happy to be flexible. We can agree to meet face to face, online, or a mixture of both to suit you.

I offer both short-term counselling (4-6 sessions) and more long-term, open-ended work.

Hi, I'm Marie. I am interested in your story - what has shaped you, what life events have happened to you, and what impact/meaning this has had. I'm also interested in any changes you hope to make, and will support you to work towards these. 

Many people come to sessions because they want something in their lives to be different. Sometimes it can be difficult to identify this straightaway, especially when life has got busy and things have built up. I'll provide a space where we can gently begin to explore and unpick what has been going on for you, and how you might move forward.

I am experienced in supporting people who are:

- experiencing grief and loss (in its many forms)

- experiencing other significant life changes, eg perimenopause and menopause

- exploring neurodivergence, including those with a recent diagnosis

- young adults experiencing the pressures of education, job concerns, relationship and/or family issues

I worked for several years in a University mental health service, and for many years with Cruse Bereavement Care.  Grief can be an isolating experience -  I will sit alongside you and support you as you navigate your feelings and loss through the grieving process.

I have undertaken additional training in working with neurodivergent clients (autism, ADHD and AuDHD), have lived experience of neurodivergence and work in a way that is neuro-affirming. My practice is also trauma-informed. 

I am a relationally trained counsellor & psychotherapist. I believe that the quality of the relationship between counsellor & client is one of the key factors in helping to foster growth and change. 

I'll provide a supportive relationship, to help you work through any difficult issues or events that you may be experiencing. I can also help you to explore past relationships or life events which are affecting how you feel in the here and now. The Relational Model of counselling is effective in this.

In our sessions I'll listen carefully, and sometimes I'll ask questions to bring a deeper understanding and to help you gain greater clarity. If appropriate I can share resources that support our work together between sessions.

I'll offer empathy, understanding, and at times a different perspective, which can help you move towards greater self-awareness, and more self-acceptance. Together we can help to quiet the inner 'critical voice'.

We are all different, therefore my aim is to be flexible and responsive in offering a way of working, and a pace that suits you.

Free introductory phone/video call

I offer a free 20 minute phone call (or online appointment if you prefer) to see what it might feel like to work with me, and of course to answer any questions you may have.

Initial session (60 mins)

It's natural to feel a certain amount of anxiety about a first session, but I'll do my best to help you feel at ease. I'll ask some questions to gain a better understanding of your concerns, and I use an intake form to help with this. I'll take some notes in the first session, and these are then securely stored.

I'll also give you some more practical information about how I work, including important information about privacy and confidentiality.

There will also be plenty of time for you to tell me more about what's troubling you, and what you are hoping to get out of our sessions together.

Accessibility

I'm happy to offer any adaptations you might need to help you feel more comfortable in our sessions. The premises that I work from are upstairs and don't have a lift, so are therefore unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users - my apologies.