- Trauma and abuse
- Life changes
- Kink and sexuality
About Maria
Maria "Ri" Punt is a counsellor registered with the BACP and has worked for 19 years in the United Kingdom. She supports people facing LGBT issues, relationship strain, family problems, trauma and abuse, and major life changes. She also works with areas such as sexuality, polyamory and non-monogamous relationships, and the effects of prejudice and discrimination.
Ri offers straightforward, practical conversations that help people name their difficulties. Sessions focus on making sense of experiences, reducing shame, and improving day-to-day coping. She listens and reflects back what she hears so clients can see patterns and make different choices.
Her practice is integrative, which means Ri uses a mix of therapeutic ideas to suit each person. That can mean looking at how past experiences shape current reactions, examining unhelpful thinking, or practising new ways of relating. The choice of approach is guided by what the client wants to achieve.
Ri has particular experience helping people affected by trauma, chronic illness, caregiver stress, domestic violence, and issues linked to sexuality and kink culture. She also supports people living with HIV and those with ties to the armed forces.
Sessions aim to reduce isolation and to build clearer options for moving forward. People are invited to talk through difficult feelings and to test small changes between sessions. Practical tools and reflection are both part of the work.
How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions
Ri often works integratively, combining well-established therapeutic ideas to match a person's needs. For example, she may use trauma-informed ways of working that focus on reducing the impact of past harmful events and on managing flashbacks, nightmares or intense reactions. This approach helps people regain a sense of control over day-to-day symptoms.She may also use approaches that examine thinking patterns and behaviours to reduce unhelpful reactions. These techniques look at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and introduce small experiments to test different ways of responding. This can be useful for relationship difficulties, anxiety about life transitions, and unhelpful guilt or shame.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Ri will collaborate with each person to decide what fits best, based on their goals and preferences. The first sessions often involve checking what matters most and agreeing practical steps to try.
Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in her biography. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy around study or work and can reduce travel time. It can also allow shorter check-ins when a quick review is needed, or sessions that do not require being on camera if that helps someone feel more comfortable.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
19+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with LGBT issues, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes. Additional areas include sexuality, kink culture, chronic illness and caregiver stress.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
She uses an integrative approach, drawing on a range of therapeutic ideas to suit the client. The work focuses on understanding patterns and practicing practical changes.
How much experience does she have?
She has 19 years of experience working as a counsellor in the United Kingdom. That experience includes work with trauma and long-term health issues.
What credential and location are listed?
She is registered with the BACP and practises in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Does she accept clients from other countries?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How does payment work and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I get started with sessions?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.