About
Welcome! My name is Mari Syrad and I am a BACP registered Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. You have taken a really courageous first step in seeking therapy and whatever it is that you are struggling with right now, my hope is that therapy can help you feel supported and better able to face what you're going through by not going it alone.
I qualified from the University of Brighton with a PGDip in Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling and have further training in bereavement, shame, drug & alcohol misuse, perinatal mental health, and oncology. I have worked across various settings including hospice care and charities such as Macmillan, and now work for the NHS alongside my private practice. With experience in a broad range of issues from anxiety to depression, trauma to perfectionism, relationships to grief, whatever is troubling you, let's look at it together.
Therapy
Individual Therapy
Therapy is an opporunity for you to get to know yourself better and gain a greater understanding of your life and your mind. I aim to offer a supportive space to process pain and things in your life that you're struggling with.
I work with a wide range of issues including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress & Overwhelm
- Sex & Relationships
- Addiction
- Bereavement & Loss
- Life Events (e.g. menopause/divorce)
- Abuse
- Perinatal Mental Health
- Trauma
- Parenting
- Body / Food Issues
Please get in touch using the form below to arrange a session or ask any questions you may have.
Email Counselling
Email counselling provides an accessible option for people who would prefer to access therapy without attending sessions face to face or online at a specific time each week. This may be useful for parents of young children or shift workers, and is a popular choice for people dealing with anxiety who may find email counselling a more comfortable way to access support. Email counselling can be highly effective and allows therapy to be accessed by those who may otherwise be unable to attend.
How does it work?
Each week, within an agreed timeframe, you will send an email up to 750 words in length which I will then reflect on and respond to therapeutically, providing reflection and insight into what you have written. Each pair of emails is the equivalent of a traditional 50 minute counselling session. Please get in touch for further information.
Nesting Mind Therapy
Alongside my general therapy practice, I also specialise in working with mums. Trained in perinatal mental health, fear of childbirth (tokophobia), hyperemisis gravidarum, and bereavement including baby loss, I have experience providing therapy to mums in pregnancy, postpartum and motherhood beyond. If you're a mum or a pregnant mum to be and are struggling with this transition, birth trauma, anxiety or postnatal depression, please get in touch. Supporting you through tailor-made therapy from another mum who gets it.
Perinatal therapy can help with:
- Improved relationship
- Mother/baby attachment
- Body image
- Processing trauma
- Coping with overwhelm
- Reducing anxiety & depression
If you're pregnant or postpartum, please get in touch to find out more about how therapy can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
I've never had therapy, what should I expect?
It's understandable to be nervous when you're doing something for the first time and it may feel a bit awkward or exposing opening up to a stranger. My hope is to create a relaxed, welcoming place for you to bring all the parts of you, no judgement here, with no expectation for you to be anything other than who you are. If you have any questions before beginning, please get in touch to ask.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions will vary from person to person. I work with people short term (6-12 sessions) or longer term for months or even years.
Do I have to be in crisis to come to therapy?
People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons, you don't have to be at rock bottom to seek help. Counselling is not designed to help with immediate psychological crisis. If you need urgent help outside of our sessions or believe that yourself or someone else is in danger, please call 999, go to A&E, or contact the Samaritans.
Practicalities
Duration: Sessions last for 50 minutes and are usually at the same time each week. Therapy is most effective when undertaken weekly although fortnightly spaces are available if required.
Fees: Each session costs £60 payable in advance by bank transfer. If you need to cancel, please provide as much notice as possible, cancellations under 24 hours will be charged at the full fee.
Location: I am based in Eastbourne, East Sussex and also work online over Google Meet and am therefore able to meet with you anywhere in the UK.
Reach Out
Complete the contact form below to book a session or to find out more about how therapy can support you.