Welcome to
Mary Mulherin Therapy
Mindful heads, happy hearts - helping you to help yourself, heal yourself and be yourself.
Counselling and psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families and groups.
Hi I'm Mary (she/her), I am passionate about supporting people with anxiety, suicidal thoughts, relationship issues and bereavement. See my services page to find out more about how I can help in each specific area.
As I identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and I am a parent to a neurodivergent child, I also enjoy working with people who experience challenges in these areas. I have a deep understanding of the distress and heartache these experiences can bring.
I understand that reaching out for help can be daunting. I offer a safe, compassionate, non-judgemental space for you to explore anything that might be troubling you. The good thing about a therapist is that you can talk freely without having to worry that you'll upset them or being afraid of what they might think of you, like you might if you were talking to family or friends.
It is important that you feel safe and are able to build up trust with me for you to get the best out of our time together. I encourage you to be yourself, to find your voice and to choose your path to health. I will help you feel comfortable to tell your story, so we can see how your life experiences have shaped you and explore what you would like to be different. I WON'T tell you what to do, I WILL listen and work to understand you on a deep level so that you can feel empowered that you know what to do. I can help you discover all your options so you can make informed choices about how you would like to live your life.
For me nothing is off limits in therapy, if you think it, feel it or do it, you are free to bring it to me to share and explore and check whether it helps you or hinders you.
My Approach
I work relationally which means I work with you to build a healthy relationship based on mutual trust so that you can feel safe to explore anything you want to. I am interested in getting to know you and learning what life is like for you. I aim to help you achieve your fullest potential in life, whatever that might look like for you. Working relationally means our relationship is an important part of our work. Looking at how we relate to each other can give us clues as to how you might relate to people in general. This method of working can highlight any stumbling blocks or areas for change, and help you achieve better communication and understanding in your relationship with yourself and others.
I am interested in how we experience our emotions within our bodies. How our bodies hold all our life experiences. I work to heal the mind body divide so you can live and experience your life fully. I recently completed a 12 week mindfulness course and I am an accomplished Yogi. So healing the whole person, mind, body and soul is important to me.
Working With Me Will Help You To . . .
- Become more confident, happy and content with life.
- Feel calmer and more in control of yourself and your life.
- Become more aware.
- Reduce your anxiety .
- Reduce your suicidal thoughts.
- Improve your relationships.
- Have a stronger sense of self
- Improve your communication
- Deal with your grief and loss.
- Be more present in the moment allowing you to pause, reflect and respond in a considered way.
- Give self compassion when times are hard and that will allow you to meet the challenges you face.
- Trust your judgement more allowing you to trust others in turn.
About Me
In January 2012 one year after I got married my mother in law passed away after a short, severe illness that took her in to hospital on Christmas day. The shock and grief of this event led me to seek counselling. It was the best decision I ever made. Having a non-judgemental, safe space to explore everything that was going on for me was a wonderful feeling. I'd never felt so truly heard and understood before. I realised whilst dealing with the grief that there were other aspects of my life that I needed help with. I had a few skeletons in my closet that, without my realising it, had been severely impacting my quality of life. I was severely anxious and immature for my age. I felt insecure in friendships and relationships, unable to look after myself, and unable to stand up for myself. I was a people pleaser and scared of conflict, I was unable to say no. I had a lot of self-defeating behaviour, and often felt like a child in an adult’s body. I was scared to do ordinary things that other people seemed to do with ease. I was never sure if people liked me. I was unsure who I was and who I was meant to be, so I always needed someone to follow.
Therapy offered me the opportunity to tell my story, share my fears and explore who I was and who I wanted to be. I worked hard to start challenging my thoughts and changing my behaviour. I learned how to look after myself and ask for what I want and need. I started to feel less anxious and more confident. About 3 years into my own therapy journey I started to imagine me helping someone else in this way. I started a counselling skills and theory course and when I loved it I then volunteered at the Samaritans to see if I could actually handle supporting real people in crisis. It turned out I could handle it, and not only that I was good at it. My calm, friendly nature helped people open up and explore what was hurting them. It was a privilege to volunteer.
I decided to do a Masters in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy as that was the modality my therapist used so it made sense to me to study that, as I'd seen first hand how it can change peoples lives. Whilst studying I started to volunteer at Renew Counselling in Chelmsford. I worked comprehensively with anxiety, suicidal thoughts and bereavement. Renew were pleased with the outcomes I achieved with my clients and my high success rates that they offered me a paid position as a counsellor. I have worked at Renew for 4 years. I have completed my advanced training in clinical practice and I am now writing my dissertation, working towards UKCP accreditation.
I am a UKCP Psychotherapist (trainee register). I am also a member of UKATA the UK Association for Transactional Analysis. I have been working with clients for 5 years. I run an inclusive practice, which means I am culturally sensitive, I am LBGTQIA+ allied and GSRD affirmative. I abide by the UKCP and UKATA code of ethics.
My Practice Room
I know it can be nerve-wracking going somewhere new! I thought I'd show you my cosy room so you know what to expect. I look forward to meeting you.
Group Therapy
I am currently recruiting people to join two therapy groups that I am running.
- Frazzled to Fear-less - a therapeutic support group for SEN Parents
- Identity Puzzle - a therapeutic support group for LGBTQIA+ people and gender non-conforming or gender questioning people.
I ask that if you are interested in joining one of my groups you please email me to arrange a 30 minute informal chat to see if the group is right for you, this also gives us a chance to get to know each other and for me to find out a bit more about you.
The groups are in person so are easily accessible to people in Leyton or the surrounding areas of Walthamstow, Wanstead, Chingford, Stratford and East Ham. People are welcome to travel from further afield to attend the group, those areas listed are within easy public transport links.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling and psychotherapy work, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07709149903 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment. I love being a counsellor and I love chatting to people so please don't hesitate to reach out.
All enquires are usually answered within 48 hours, if you have not received a response within this time, please check your spam folder. All contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
My location
I work from private offices located in Leyton, East London and see clients from Central London as well as the surrounding Essex and Kent areas. I will provide location details when we arrange our counselling sessions.
From November I will be providing sessions in Tottenham, Haringey, just a short walk from Seven Sisters Station.
My Practice is within walking distance of Leyton, central line station, providing easy access to clients wishing to travel from Wanstead, Stratford, Chingford or further afield.
By Bus - the 158 and 58 bus stop is a 2 minute walk from my door. Providing easy access for clients from Walthamstow, Chingford, Stratford and East Ham.
By Car - there is free parking at the nearby Leyton Jubilee Park which is a 5 minute walk away.
Fees & Availability
Individual Sessions are £75 for 50 minutes.
Couples Sessions are £120 for 60 minutes.
Families £150 for 60 minutes.
ENM, poly groups £150 for 60 minutes.
A limited number of low cost sessions are available. (These are currently full.)
Cigna Insurance Accepted
Sessions are weekly at the same time on the same day every week to create safety and consistency. I work on a short term and long term basis so your space will be available to you for as long or as little as you feel you need it.
I require one weeks notice of cancellations, sessions cancelled with less than 7 days notice or non attendance of sessions will be charged in full.