Marlene Van Aardt

I currently welcome enquiries from new adult clients. I offer face-to-face appointments from a calm, private therapy space in Holmes Chapel, as well as online appointments for adults across the UK.

Where possible, I work with clients at the same regular weekly time, although I can sometimes accommodate different arrangements. My availability can change, so please contact me to discuss the days and times currently available.

Hello, I’m Marlene.

You might be here because something doesn’t feel quite right. Perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious or stuck, struggling with the impact of trauma, or finding relationships difficult. Whatever has brought you here, I know that taking the first step into therapy can feel daunting. Sharing your inner world with someone you don’t know is a brave thing to do, especially if you’ve been hurt or let down in the past.

At the heart of my work is a belief that healing begins when we feel truly seen, heard and accepted. I aim to offer that kind of therapeutic relationship: a calm, non-judgemental space where you are in control and where we work together at a pace that feels right for you. You don’t need to have the right words or share anything before you’re ready. We can begin with where you’re at now and take things from there.

My path into counselling was shaped by my own experiences and a lifelong belief in people’s ability to heal, grow and create meaningful change. Life can bring unimaginable challenges, but I don’t believe that any of us is defined by one moment, one experience or one chapter of our life.

I began my counselling journey working with women in the community, supporting people affected by birth trauma, domestic and sexual violence, and challenging family relationships. This continues to inform my trauma-informed practice and my particular interest in supporting women, although I work with adults across a broad range of concerns.

I bring warmth, compassion and curiosity to our work together, paying attention not only to what is said but also to what may be harder to put into words. My hope is that therapy can help you understand and accept yourself more fully, and recognise the strength you already have within you.

If you feel I might be the right therapist for you, I’d be happy to hear from you.

My work is rooted in person-centred counselling. For me, that means respecting that you know your own life better than anyone else. I won’t tell you what you should do or decide what is right for you. Instead, I’ll listen carefully and we can explore what you’re experiencing together, so that your own answers and way forward can hopefully become clearer.

I also work pluralistically. That may sound quite formal, but it simply means that I don’t believe therapy is one-size-fits-all. What helps one person may not feel right for another. We can talk about what you find helpful and adapt the way we work as we go. This might include conversation and reflection, exploring feelings or patterns that keep coming up, or trying more practical or creative ways of working.

I’m also trained in hypnotherapy. If I feel that a gentle hypnotherapy technique could be useful as part of our work, I’ll talk it through with you first. It will only ever be included when it feels appropriate and you are comfortable with it; it isn’t an automatic part of counselling.

You may come with one particular concern you would like to focus on, or you may need more time and space to understand what is happening for you. I offer both short-term and open-ended counselling, and we can talk together about what may suit you rather than deciding everything in advance.

I offer face-to-face sessions from a calm, private therapy room in Holmes Chapel and online sessions across the UK through Google Meet. Whichever way we meet, my aim is for you to feel that this is your space and that we are working in a way that feels manageable and meaningful for you.

You can read more about how I work and how I look after your personal information in the privacy notice on my website.

Before you book a full counselling session, I offer a free 20-minute consultation, usually by video or by telephone if you prefer. This gives us a chance to meet, talk briefly about what has brought you to counselling, discuss practical matters such as availability and fees, and consider whether working together feels right for both of us. It is not a therapy session, so you won’t need to tell me your whole story, and there is no obligation to continue.

If we decide to go ahead, I’ll send you the counselling agreement and practical information before we meet for your first full session. You will have an opportunity to ask about anything that is unclear.

During the first session, we can begin with what is happening in your life now and what you would like help with. I may ask some questions to understand more about you, your circumstances and any relevant background. We can also talk about what you hope to gain from counselling and how we might work together. You don’t need to prepare anything or know exactly where to start; we can take it from there together.