Shirley DeMarco

Since qualifying in 2000, I have gained my expertise working in a variety of clinical settings. I began work as a staff counsellor at the University of East Anglia (UEA) Institute of Food Research and John Innes Centre. I also practised at medical centres at the UEA and West Earlham Health Centre. Until June 2018 I worked for St Giles Clinic, a private clinic in Norwich and I remain an associate at the Pottergate Centre for Dissociation and Trauma, Norwich.

I have also practised as a qualified supervisor since 2003, and worked as a clinical supervisor at the UEA on the MA Counselling course and subsequently with counsellors and health professionals. 

I work with adults of all ages to create safe, confidential therapeutic relationships to enable individuals to increase self-awareness, and to improve their psychological and emotional health to lead more fulfilling lives.  

 My  passion is working to understand and strengthen both intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. My training equips me to support individuals to identify and repair attachment injuries in their relationships, thereby alleviating symptoms related to isolation, depression and anxiety.  

I have participated in Mindfulness training. Mindfulness and meditation skills and techniques can be used to reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression.  Mindfulness and compassion are attitudes which also positively inform my practice.  

I am particularly experienced and interested in working with clients who have experienced traumatic events and who may suffer from PTSD. The trauma training, I have completed is approved by the International Society for the Study on Trauma and Dissociation. I have also completed training by Babette Rothschild, a leading trauma therapist and author. This training enables me to create a safe environment to support clients in learning emotional regulation skills, which are essential to help to safely process trauma and facilitate recovery.  

My attachment-focused skills have increased my understanding of relationships and led me to participate in couple’s therapy training using the Emotionally Focused Therapy model, which is empirically evidenced. I can offer help to couples who need support to recover and repair their relationships. If required, I also offer assistance to couples who wish to separate amicably. 

My focus is to inform and support clients to build stronger, healthier relationships with partners, friends and colleagues. I can also facilitate development towards life goals, such as building a career or a family, with the purpose of improving personal and professional life potential.