When you’re the person who usually copes, asking for help can feel surprisingly difficult.

Do you appear to have things together on the outside, while inside you feel anxious, overwhelmed or exhausted by how much you’re carrying? Perhaps you’re questioning yourself, struggling with relationships, or finding that the ways you’ve always coped no longer seem to be working.

I’m Maria, a Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapist. I offer a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you don’t have to pretend everything is okay or have the right words for how you feel.

I believe you are the expert on your own experience. We’ll explore what is happening for you together, at a pace that feels right for you, with our therapeutic relationship at the heart of the work.

You don’t need to know exactly what you want from therapy. Sometimes knowing something needs to change is enough of a place to begin.

Areas of support

• Anxiety, worry and overthinking
• Stress, overwhelm and burnout
• Workplace pressures and difficulties
• Low self-esteem and self-confidence
• Self-criticism, shame and feelings of not being good enough
• Relationship difficulties and repeating relationship patterns
• People-pleasing, boundaries and difficulty saying no
• Bereavement, grief and loss
• Life transitions and significant changes
• Trauma and difficult experiences
• Identity, self-understanding and personal development
• Neurodiversity, including ADHD, autism and dyslexia
• Understanding and adjusting to a recent diagnosis
• Masking and the pressures of meeting others' expectations
• Health-related concerns and emotional wellbeing

Approach:
Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy, Person-Centred Therapy, Gestalt, Phenomenological and Relational Approaches, working with Shame, Attachment-Informed Therapy, Neuro-Affirmative Practice and Mindfulness

Experience:

BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy – First-Class Honours

Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute (SPTI) / Staffordshire University

BACP Registered Member (MBACP) – Membership No. 415247

Working with Trauma Relationally – SPTI

Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) training – Janina Fisher

Trauma-focused professional development – Bessel van der Kolk

Working with Refugees and Asylum Seekers – Nottingham Counselling Service

CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies

CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

Contact: maria@apiaficounselling.co.uk

Counsellors listed in this directory are independent practitioners registered with The Nottingham Counselling & Psychotherapy Hub. Please contact them directly to discuss suitability, availability and fees.