I am a systemic family therapist, and an integrative counsellor, which includes CBT, based at the London Child, Adult and Family Therapy Centre. I have over 25 years’ experience of working with people and supporting them to overcome a range of emotional and behavioural dilemmas, which often occur in the journey of life. These dilemmas can become problematic when left unmanaged OR unresolved and often affect personal and professional relationships. I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups of people who have shared responsibilities. Lately, I have seen an increase in families where adult children and parents seek therapy to heal past wounds and create compassion in their relationships with each other. I have also seen an increase in couples seeking pre-marriage therapy to develop focus for their new developing couple relationship when negotiating individual cultural differences embedded in the wedding rituals.



In addition to regular therapy, I offer programs (either single sessions or a course of sessions) to corporate organisations. This extra support at the directorate levels creates a resource that helps to increase productivity as well as reduces unnecessary stress or burnout during challenging times when big changes are essential for organisational growth and development.


My experience to date includes managing a team of over 40 clinical staff at a large acute unit of the Priory hospital, which included providing clinical supervision. Alongside this I have a broad experience of service development and delivery of family therapy to families managing very complex family dilemmas. I have previously worked as a systemic therapist for TIER 4 inpatient adolescent unit providing therapy to patients and their families. This unit offered hospitalisation to adolescents diagnosed with severe eating disorders, conduct disorders, depression, anxiety and autism. I have also worked as a counsellor in educational settings (nursery, primary, secondary schools and higher educational settings); family centre; children’s services; employee assisted program for local authority staff; an Asian women’s project and have 8 years of teaching experience on BACP and OCR accredited counselling and self-developmental training programmes.

Experience

Maria is a family therapist, trauma informed trainer, Ubuntu Coach and Organisational Consultant.
She has more than twenty years’ experience of working in the mental health field. Her practice builds on her career as a mental health nurse, having worked in both adult and children`s mental health settings and gained a specialism in drug and alcohol addiction.
For the last 10 years, Maria has been working in children’s social care as a therapist, consultant and trainer. In this role she has worked with families that have been known to children’s services under child protection or child in need plans. She has also worked with children known to the criminal justice system or serious youth violence. Maria has a special interest in racial trauma and delivers training to professionals on how to work with adolescents using a trauma lens. She is part 1 and part 2 EMDR trained. Currently, Maria works as a relationship and change consultant in local authority. One arm of Maria`s private practice is to work with organisations as a change and strategic
consultant or Wellbeing & Inclusion Consultant. In the former, she consults to directors on strategy and operational delivery. In the latter, she helps organisations to become more human by working with them on their diversity and inclusion agenda. Maria is a trained Ubuntu Coach. She has a special interest in coaching middle managers and teams. She uses her psychotherapy skills to bring depth into her work as a coach. In her work with organisations, Maria consults to directors and producers on film sets. In this industry she delivers trauma informed workshops, creates space for check-ins and debriefing sessions on or off set, long term supervision for directors and producers and 1:1 therapy as required. The other arm of her private practice is to offer regular therapy. In this space she works with individuals, couples or family systems.
Maria`s approach is influenced by the Ubuntu philosophy. This philosophy places an emphasis on interconnectedness and oneness. As a systemic consultant, a therapist or coach, Maria is interested in the interconnected nature of human relationships. This approach helps her to create dialogue in the sessions and be curious about family or organisational culture and the beliefs that could be maintaining the problems.
Maria offers an initial free 20min phone consultation to consider the service required and whether she is the appropriate fit. Sessions are 60mins. Prices range depending on the expertise required.

Are you finding your relationships difficult or unsatisfactory? Perhaps you would like a greater sense of connection with those around you.

I offer Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Relationship Counselling to couples and individuals. With a kind and thoughtful approach I seek to create a safe and secure space where we can work together towards resolving the difficulties you might be experiencing.

Life can present many challenges, times when we might feel confused or overwhelmed and it becomes difficult to think clearly. Instead of being a source of support and comfort our relationships can feel draining and painful. Getting stuck in a place where the ability to communicate is lost and conflict escalates is surprisingly easy. Creating the space for thought, the opportunity for tolerance and the potential for change is achievable.

This is a collaborative process and the aim is for the work to be yours and something you can take away and keep with you. A non-judgemental and inclusive welcome is extended to every individual and couple of all cultures, backgrounds and orientations.

Psychotherapy Qualifications and Training:

I am a specialist trained relationship therapist with many years’ experience of working with couples and individuals with relationship issues. I trained at Tavistock Relationships gaining the Post Graduate Diploma in Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Counselling. To build on the substantial experience gained there and to broaden my approach I became a Relate registered Counsellor. In addition to my private practice I continue in the pursuit of further clinical development with Relate and with other agencies.

I have an MSc (KCL) in Health and Society which examined in depth the societal causes of ill health and the importance of relationships in promoting better health.


Being a registered member of the BACP (MBACP) I adhere to their professional code of ethics and place client care and confidentiality at the forefront of my practice

I offer short term or long term therapy: within the therapeutic relationship I would encourage regular attendance.

Rates vary for individual and couple work and I offer a limited number of low fee sessions.