Mari Syrad , BACP

Mari Syrad is a BACP-registered psychotherapeutic counsellor based in the United Kingdom who offers a reflective, person-focused approach to emotional distress. Registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) - a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK - she draws on her training as an Integrative Humanistic Counsellor to place the individual at the centre of the work. Mari believes that people are the experts on their own experience and that, given a supportive environment, they have the capacity to grow and heal.

Mari creates a calm, supportive space where clients can explore difficult feelings and events, make sense of painful experiences, and discover resources to manage life when it feels overwhelming. She works with a range of concerns including bereavement and trauma, major life changes such as pregnancy or divorce, and the quieter sense that something is not quite right. Her practice also addresses issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family difficulties, grief, parenting challenges, and coping with addictions and intimacy-related matters.

In session Mari aims to hold clients with empathy while working at a pace that feels right for them, gently inviting exploration and deeper understanding rather than pushing for quick fixes. Her approach emphasises collaboration, respect for each person’s pace, and supporting clients to develop practical ways to cope and to find greater meaning in their experience.

Client-centered and existential approaches for online care

Mari commonly draws on client-centered and existential ways of working to support people in an online setting. Client-centered Therapy focuses on creating an accepting, non-judgmental space where the client’s own perspective and pace guide the work - it is helpful for building self-understanding, emotional regulation, and coping with day-to-day stress. Existential Therapy explores questions about meaning, choice, and responsibility, helping people navigate major life changes, loss, and identity concerns by examining values and personal freedom.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Mari works collaboratively with each person to identify what fits best. She will listen to the client’s needs, goals, and preferences and adapt the way she works so the sessions remain relevant and useful. This collaborative stance helps clients feel involved in shaping their own therapy.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be arranged as video calls, phone conversations, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit support around work, family, and daily life. These options increase accessibility for people who may find in-person appointments difficult and allow therapists and clients to maintain continuity of care across different circumstances.