The Hopeful Counsellor.

.Hi, I'm Mary, and I'm so glad you're here.

I'm a counsellor based in Dunbar, and I have a particular interest in supporting people who have experienced spiritual abuse. As someone who has experienced this, I found it difficult to find a counsellor with whom I felt comfortable talking about my experiences. This dilemma has been reflected in recent research by Oakley and Kinmond (2021), which highlights how often people affected by spiritual abuse struggle to find practitioners who understand the nuances of their pain.

This experience was partly what led me to train as a counsellor myself. I now offer a space where stories of spiritual wounding, identity struggles, and the impact of controlling or high-pressure faith environments can be spoken about freely and without judgement. I believe healing begins in being heard.

My approach is relational and client-led, grounded in respect, compassion, and curiosity. I welcome all parts of your story — whether you're navigating confusion, grief, anger, or the slow process of reclaiming your voice. Alongside spiritual abuse, I also work with issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, family dynamics, and feelings of being silenced or stuck.

If you're carrying pain from experiences that are hard to put into words — especially within a faith or spiritual context — you're not alone.