Marie Yexley

I am available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings and afternoons. I can offer weekend availability by arrangement.

Sessions can take place online or in person. In person sessions are available in Mid Devon and Exeter

A space to be heard, understood and met as you are.

People come to counselling for many different reasons. You may be feeling anxious or overwhelmed, struggling with a relationship or a change in your life, wanting to talk about past sexual abuse, experiencing loss or bereavement or simply finding it hard to cope. You don't need to have it all worked out before coming to counselling. We can begin wherever you are.

I work relationally and integratively, which means that the relationship we build together is an important part of the therapy. I offer a confidential space where you can talk openly and where we can become curious together about what is happening in your life, your relationships and your experience of yourself.

Our work might involve exploring what is happening now as well as experiences from your past. We may notice patterns, ways of coping, or ways of relating that once served an important purpose but may no longer feel helpful.

My approach is also informed by Gestalt therapy which pays attention not only to what we talk about, but to what is happening in the present moment. This can include thoughts and feelings, the body, images or dreams, and what we notice in the room and in our responses to one another. There is no pressure to work in any particular way; we discover together what feels useful for you.

For me, counselling isn't something that is done to you. It is a collaborative relationship where there's space for compassion, honesty and for more of you to become known.

All of you is welcome here.

I offer counselling in person in Devon, as well as online by Zoom and by telephone.

Sessions are 60 minutes and usually take place weekly, although we can discuss what feels appropriate for you. I offer both short-term and open-ended counselling, depending on what brings you and what you would like from the work.

My practice offers a private and confidential space without pressure to arrive with a particular agenda. 

Walk-and-talk sessions are also available by arrangement. Where it feels appropriate, we might also pay attention to the body, images, dreams, emotions or work with what is happening between us in the moment. You are always free to say what does and doesn't feel useful.

I work collaboratively and at your pace. We can regularly review how the counselling is feeling and whether it continues to meet your needs.

Finding the right counsellor matters. I offer a free initial 30-minute conversation by telephone or online before you decide whether you would like to book a first counselling session. This gives us an opportunity to meet briefly, for you to ask questions and for us both to get a sense of whether working together feels right.

Before the first counselling session, I will email you information about the practical aspects of working together, including confidentiality, sessions, cancellations and how I keep your information. You will have the opportunity to read this beforehand, and we can discuss any questions when we meet.

The therapeutic relationship is an important part of my approach, and there is no expectation that you must continue if you don't feel I am the right counsellor for you.

We don't need to have everything mapped out at the beginning. We can begin wherever you are and allow the work to unfold as trust develops between us.