Counsellor profile
Maria Mars, HCPC
Counsellor - stress and mood concerns
See online counselling options- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Attachment based work
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
About Maria
Counsellor Maria Mars is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and has 27 years of experience in clinical practice in the United Kingdom. She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, parenting concerns, self-esteem and identity issues, and a range of mood and behaviour difficulties. Sessions are offered in English and international clients can be supported.
Maria uses a counselling approach that draws on several evidence-informed methods. She combines elements from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Attachment-Based and client-centred ways of working. In practice this means helping people notice patterns, try small changes, and focus on what matters to them.
She has worked in public, voluntary and private settings across child, adolescent and adult services. That range has given experience with issues such as trauma, identity and parenting stress, and with neurodevelopmental and attachment concerns. Maria also lists additional focus areas including adoption and foster care, autism and Asperger Syndrome, and immigration-related difficulties.
In sessions she aims to work collaboratively. Conversations usually involve clarifying what is most difficult, setting achievable goals, and practising skills between meetings where helpful. People who come for help may work on mood, sleep, anger, grief, relationship tensions and coping with life change.
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. To start, follow the See online counselling options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Therapeutic approaches and working online
Maria uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help people spot and test unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. CBT offers practical steps for low mood, anxiety and sleep problems and often includes small tasks to try between meetings.She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which focuses on noticing thoughts and choosing actions that match what matters to the person. ACT can be helpful when people struggle with persistent worry, low motivation or difficult emotions.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The counsellor will discuss goals, preferences and what feels most useful. Decisions about which methods to use are made together and can change over time as needs shift.
The original profile does not list specific session formats, so check the current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow for shorter check-in meetings when needed. Registered professionals and therapists commonly work with clients remotely, and Maria supports international clients; confirm how appointments are scheduled and billed when you book.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
27+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, parenting concerns, self-esteem and identity issues. Additional focuses include ADHD, bipolar and sleep problems.
What is her main counselling style?
Her practice draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-based and client-centred approaches. She blends these methods to match the person's needs.
How much experience does she have?
She has 27 years of clinical experience working in public, voluntary and private mental health settings. That includes work with children, young people and adults.
Is she registered with a professional body?
She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, shown as HCPC in her profile. Her practice is based in the United Kingdom.
Can I have sessions in a language other than English?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are accepted.
What formats are available for sessions?
The original profile does not state specific session formats. Please confirm current session options with the service before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. Exact fees depend on the chosen arrangement.
How do I begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the See online counselling options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.
Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.