Marika Cook, counselling and supervision
Trauma / neuro affirming
Hi, I'm Marika Cook
I'm a qualified and BACP-accredited therapist, with over 8 years of supporting adults with whatever happens to be challenging to them right now.
I don't see my role as trying to 'fix' clients. I'm here to provide a space that's just for you, so you can explore at your own pace, and gain a better understanding of yourself and move forward with more confidence.
Currently, I work with self-funding clients and those who come to me through their health insurance, employee assistance programme, or a third sector charity. More recently, I qualified as a supervisor, supporting other therapists in their client work.
My approach
Whilst there's deep listening on my part and a real willingness to understand your situation to provide focused support, I'm told by clients I'm easy to open up to, and there's room for humour in sessions as well as the more difficult stuff. I'm human, I adapt my work to individual clients, and you are welcome as you are.
Therapy with me is:
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Collaborative and curious, not stiff and awkward
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Flexible - you set the pace, you decide what we talk about
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Challenging at times, but you'll always be met with respect and understanding
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Enjoyable - so I've been told by clients!
I work particularly well with...
Neurodivergent clients (ADHDers, Autistic, AuDHDers) I'm neurodivergent myself, which can add a layer of understanding for ND clients arriving in therapy with year of accumulated stress through masking and trying to fit into a world not designed for them. You won't have to over-explain yourself here.
Clients who've experienced trauma My work is grounded in a trauma-affirming approach, and always negotiated with clients. This isn't me throwing a load of tools at you - although this is part of the work we can do together - because I'm interested in knowing you as a person, not only about what might be happening for you. Working together, we can explore the impact trauma may have on everyday life and relationships, get to know parts of yourself that may have had to be hidden in order to get by in the world, and if it feels right, somatic therapy to support you to feel safer in yourself and more confident.
Clients who feel lost or simply don't feel good about themselves Feeling lost or out of touch with who we are can show up in a multitude of ways like finding it hard (or unthinkable!) to put ourselves first, being out of touch with our wants and needs in life, and low self esteem, which can sometimes lead to anxiety and depression. It can make life feel tough and lonely. I aim to provide a space for you to explore any (or all) of that, and to help you find a way forward, understanding how you arrived here and how to navigate a way forward.
People struggling with workplace stress or burnout I've been employed in a variety of employment areas including manufacturing, corporate, automotive, and hospitality. This gives me a broad understanding of the types of issues you might be facing, the types of co-workers you're navigating, and the stress, anxiety or low confidence this can create.
Clients who feel therapy just hasn't worked for them before This is often because clients feel missed somehow - they haven't been seen, heard or fully understood, and that matters. I offer a very human space where you can begin to drop the masks, speak openly about what's going on for you, and feel genuinely understood.