Counsellor profile
Maria Stannard, BACP
Counsellor - stress and relationship support
See online counselling options- Person-centred therapy
- Trauma-focused work
- Existential perspective
About Maria
Counsellor and BACP registered member Maria Stannard has five years' experience supporting people in the United Kingdom. Maria works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, grief, eating concerns, self-esteem and LGBT matters. Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
Maria uses a person-centred style that aims to follow the client's lead. That means conversations focus on what matters most to the individual and on their own strengths. She also draws on existential ideas to look at meaning, choice and how people relate to their life circumstances.
Trauma-focused approaches are part of her practice when people have histories of abuse or overwhelming events. In those situations the work pays attention to safety, stabilising reactions and gradually addressing traumatic material. Maria notes neurodiversity as a factor she considers in how people experience stress and relationships.
Sessions tend to be practical and conversational. Maria listens for patterns that get in the way and helps people try different ways of coping. She encourages small steps that build on what the person already does well.
People can expect a calm, plainspoken style and short, clear sessions that focus on achievable aims. To begin, the site matching process asks a few questions and then you can schedule a first session. Fees vary by location and use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
Approaches used in online counselling and how they help
Maria uses person-centred therapy which focuses on the client's own perspective and strengths. This approach suits people who want a conversational way to make sense of stress, relationships and self-esteem issues.She also draws on trauma-focused methods to work with memories and reactions after abuse or other upsetting events. That work pays attention to stabilising symptoms and addressing distress at a manageable pace.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process. Maria works collaboratively to decide whether person-centred, existential or trauma-focused ideas will best fit a person's needs, goals and preferences. Clients can expect discussion and adjustment of methods as therapy progresses.
Practical benefits of online counselling include making sessions easier to fit around work, family or other commitments and saving travel time. If you need clarity on which session formats are offered, please confirm the current options before booking. The therapist aims to make sessions straightforward and to fit them into everyday life without assuming particular arrangements in advance.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
Maria helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, eating concerns, self-esteem and LGBT related matters.
What therapeutic style does she use?
Her main style is person-centred therapy, with elements of existential and trauma-focused approaches used as appropriate to the person's needs.
How long has she been practising?
She has five years of professional experience working with the issues listed on her profile.
Which professional body is she registered with?
She is a BACP Therapist and listed as a registered member MBACP.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with clients outside the UK?
International clients are accepted.
How are sessions booked and what do they cost?
Fees vary with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
What do I need to do to start?
Select the See online counselling options button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule 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.