About Me
I'm Maria Carelse, a qualified and experienced integrative psychotherapist counsellor and life coach. I work with adults, children and adolescents, as well as couples and families, supporting people through a wide range of emotional and personal difficulties.
I am educated at Batchelor Degree level and I have a Level 5 Diploma in Life Coaching. I am a registered and accredited member of Association for Coaching, Addiction Professionals, Accredited Counsellors Coaches Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists (ACCPH), and I work in accordance with Addiction Professionals Ethical Framework.
I undertake regular professional supervision to ensure that I practise safely, ethically and professionally.
I am also a bilingual counsellor and psychotherapist, offering sessions in English and Spanish, and hold a Level 4 qualification in Positive Psychology under European legislation. DBS Certificate available.
My professional training, combined with my own life experiences, has given me a deep understanding of the importance of having somewhere safe to talk. I am passionate about helping people feel understood, empowered and supported as they work through difficult periods in their lives.
Adults, Children, Adolescents, Couples & Families
I work with people at different stages of life and understand that each person's circumstances are different.
Whether you are seeking individual counselling, support for your child or teenager, or help with relationship and family difficulties, I aim to provide a compassionate and professional environment where everyone feels respected and heard.
My Therapeutic Approach
I work integratively, drawing on a range of therapeutic approaches to provide support that is tailored to each individual client. I believe that everyone is different, and therapy should be adapted to your unique experiences, needs and goals.
The approaches I work with include:
• Psychoanalytic Therapy – Exploring how past experiences, relationships and unconscious patterns may influence your thoughts, feelings and behaviours in the present.
• Adlerian Therapy – Considering the individual as a whole and exploring how relationships, experiences and beliefs can shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us.
• Existential Therapy – Exploring questions around meaning, purpose, freedom, responsibility, identity and the choices we make throughout life.
• Gestalt Therapy – Focusing on your present experience and increasing awareness of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, helping you develop a greater understanding of yourself and your relationships.
• Behaviour Therapy – Looking at patterns of behaviour and exploring practical ways to develop healthier and more helpful responses to difficult situations.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Exploring the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and developing strategies to help you manage unhelpful patterns and cope with challenges more effectively.
• Reality Therapy – Focusing on the choices and behaviours that can be changed in the present, helping you identify your needs, take greater responsibility for your choices and work towards your personal goals.
• Mindfulness & Meditation – Using mindfulness-based techniques where appropriate to help manage stress, improve emotional wellbeing and develop resilience.
Continuing Professional Development
I am committed to continually developing my knowledge and therapeutic skills so that I can provide the best possible support to my clients.
I am currently undertaking training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). This is an important part of my ongoing professional development, particularly in relation to working with trauma and distressing life experiences. As I continue my training, I remain committed to practising within the boundaries of my current training, competence and professional ethical standards.