Struggling with your relationships, feeling disconnected, lost or anxious?

When life feels heavy, talk to someone who listens. We’re a small, experienced team of counsellors helping couples and individuals work through relationship challenges, depression, trauma and emotional overwhelm. Sessions are available in person in Bedford, St Ives and Bury St Edmunds, or online anywhere in the UK.

Shirley Marais counselling team
Couple sitting together in calm light

Rebuild trust, communication and closeness in your relationship

Every relationship goes through difficult times: repeated arguments, feeling unseen or misunderstood, emotional distance or moments when it seems you’ve lost your connection. Our relationship counselling offers a safe, supportive space to talk openly, understand each other better and find a healthier way forward.

It’s not just for couples. It can also help with family relationships, parent–child tensions or other important connections that have become strained.

Whether you’re working through money conflict, betrayal, loss of intimacy, chronic illness or navigating major changes, therapy can help you rebuild trust, resolve tension and create more balanced, fulfilling relationships.

Understand yourself and feel more at ease

Sometimes it’s not just relationships with others that feel difficult, it’s the relationship with yourself.

Our counselling offers time and space to slow down, make sense of what’s happening and find yourself again. We support people with:

  • Anger & emotional overwhelm issues
  • Depression & anxiety
  • Guilt, shame & low self-esteem issues
  • Life transitions & major life changes
  • Living with disability or illness (yours or loved ones)
  • Trauma

Whether you want to build confidence, recover from loss or simply feel more like yourself, our therapy can help you regain clarity and calm.

A person in a calm reflective moment

Not a matching app. Not a call centre. Just real connection.

You’ll never be paired with a random counsellor by an algorithm. We’re a small, trusted team of therapists who take the time to get to know you, so every session feels meaningful and focused on your story.

What makes us different:

Genuine empathy and real human connection

Warm, attentive support that meets you where you are.

Many years of hands-on counselling experience

Experienced support for complex real-life situations.

Counsellors who also train and supervise other therapists

Depth of practice and strong professional standards.

A person-centred approach tailored to your needs

Therapy shaped around you, at a pace that feels safe.

Registered with BACP and NCS for ethical, professional practice

Clear boundaries, confidentiality, and accountability.

In-person in Bedford, St Neots and Bury St Edmunds, or online across the UK

Flexible options to fit your life and location.

What our clients say

‘Shirley helped us to find the way to really talk and hear each other. We understand each other now in a way we never did before.’

Alice and Ben, Huntingdon

‘Mark helped me find confidence again and to feel calmer in my daily life.’

Sonya, Bury St Edmunds

‘Couples therapy with Shirley really worked. We finally stopped going in circles. We feel close again.’

Karen and Ian, Bedford

‘I started therapy with Anna feeling broken and hopeless. Now I feel like myself again.’

Anne, St Neots

Starting therapy with us is simple

1

Free discovery call

A short, friendly chat to see if we’re the right fit for you.

2

Assessment session

A relaxed conversation about your background and goals.

3

Your first session

Weekly or fortnightly, online or in person, evenings or weekends, at times that work for you.

 

NCPS Shirley Marais

OTC Shirley Marais

Shirley Marais EMDR

BACP - Shirley Marais Counselling

Counselling for Individuals, Relationships in Bedford,

St Ives, Bury St Edmunds, or online anywhere in the UK.

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