Nicole Marais
M.A., Dip.Psych., UKCP MBACP

Transpersonal Psychotherapist,
Counsellor, Coach

Private Practice:
Violet Hill Studios

Welcome to my web page.

“Therapy springs from the hope that authentic meeting between human beings is still possible. In therapy it is the way we treat each other that is the treatment….. The really decisive moments in psychotherapy are
unpredictable, unique, unforgettable, always unrepeatable, and often indescribable”. R D Laing 1981. ;

People I work with often feel they are not ‘who they are meant to be' and that their life ‘is not how they imagined it would be'. They often feel blocked, afraid, frustrated – experiencing a range of issues in relation to self, others, their working lives and the world.  

Whilst at times it may appear that there is no way through these issues - years of experience of working with people have shown that by investigating these difficult feelings and thoughts with kindness and
compassion, new and unique explorations of self, others, life and the world can reveal fresh and transformative experiences previously unimagined and unseen.  

A new way of reflecting on challenging times instead, could be to see it this way; ‘the darker the shadow the brighter the sun'. Or another way; when things seem to be breaking down they can be perfectly poised to break through - to use the language of alchemy ‘gold can be found in lead'.  

I have completed a one year foundation course, a four year diploma (degree equivalent) and a two year Masters in Transpersonal Counselling & Psychotherapy at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education/De Montfort University. I am also a qualified I.T.E.C massage therapist as well as an artist, having studied, colour, life
drawing and drawing for design.  

I work in an integrative way with each person, listening to what they have to say, their silences, as well as their body symptoms. I also work with dreams – which from a Jungian perspective can be seen as unconscious and spontaneous symbols lighting the path to change.  

I use drawing, creative imagination, movement, nature, sound and colour, following the client in their world, adapting my practice to meet the individual's needs.  

THERAPEUTIC CONTRACT and FEES  

I operate a sliding scale for fees based on the individual's circumstances - usual individual fee is £60.00. Couples fee is usually £100.00 per 1hr session or pro rata for a longer session. They are payable at the end of each session by cash or cheque or monthly in advance. Some concessions
are available - depending on circumstances. I also work with insurance companies.

Fees are revised on an annual basis.

Times
Sessions last 50 minutes and are usually on a weekly basis, and occasionally twice weekly if required - usually at the same time and place.


Cancellation Policy
7 days notice is needed for any date/time changes or cancellations.
Otherwise the full fee is usually charged. There is some flexibility

in the event of an emergency.

Shorter term counselling can be mutually agreed for varying times,
i.e. 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and so on. This can be renewed as often as required.

4 weeks notice is required before ending longer-term therapy.

I do not charge if I am away or forced to cancel.