Maté Jarai
Humanistic Counsellor
MBACP
Therapists
I’m a qualified humanistic counsellor based in Brighton, offering both in-person and online sessions. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply in need of a safe space to talk, I’m here to support you. You might be asking yourself... Why do I keep feeling anxious, low, or disconnected? How can I break out of unhelpful patterns in relationships or behaviour? What do I really want - and what’s getting in the way? Is it okay to just not know, and still want to talk? These are all valid and common questions. Reaching out for therapy can feel daunting, but it’s a courageous and meaningful step. My aim is to offer you a warm, non-judgemental, and confidential space where we can explore whatever feels most important to you - at your own pace, and in your own way. www.mjaraicounselling.co.uk/
I’m a BACP registered humanistic counsellor, specialising in person-centred therapy. In this approach, you—the client—lead the way, because you are the expert on your own experience. We’ll work in the ‘here and now’, meaning each session is your space to bring whatever is on your mind, and together we’ll explore it from there. Person-centred therapy is grounded in three core conditions: empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard. This means I aim to deeply understand your perspective, without judgement, and to meet you with honesty, authenticity, and respect. Every client is unique, with their own way of experiencing the world. While my foundation is person-centred, I also draw from other humanistic approaches—such as Transactional Analysis and Gestalt—working with life scripts and, when appropriate, using creative methods. All of this is done through a client-centred lens, tailored to your needs. If you’d like to learn more about how I work, I’d be happy to discuss my approach further in a consultation. Feel free to get in touch via the Contact page or send me an email.
I was born in Budapest in 1988, and spent much of my early life moving between countries due to my parents’ work. The experience left me with questions around identity and belonging that I carried well into adulthood. Over time, I’ve come to see how these challenges shaped my path—and ultimately led me to the work I do today as a counsellor. In my teens, I fell in love with the creative arts. Music led to poetry, and eventually to a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Southampton. I was drawn to the deeper themes behind storytelling—philosophy, identity, and the search for meaning. Alongside my studies, I worked with children in education, witnessing the incredible power of self-expression through creativity. After teaching abroad in Italy for a few years in my late twenties, I returned to the UK and briefly worked in journalism. It was during this time—amid personal struggles and the impact of the pandemic—that I reached a low point in my mental health. Turning to therapy was life-changing. It helped me reconnect with my authentic self and sparked a new sense of purpose: to support others on their own healing journeys. I spent four years training to be a counsellor while continuing to write on a freelance basis on topics like mental health and sustainability. I also launched and ran a small independent publishing company, Cephalopress, until 2024. I completed my Level 4 Qualification in Counselling Skills (CPCAB) in July 2025, logging over 200 client hours through organisations such as The Bower Tree and Headstrong, including work with creative therapies in schools. Today, I continue working with The Bower Tree and have also launched my own private practice: M Jarai Counselling. My aim is to offer a space that is warm, safe, and non-judgemental—where you can feel truly heard and supported, whatever issues you may be facing, and wherever you may be on your journey.