- Person-centred approach
- Trauma-informed work
- Autism aware practice
About Maria
Maria Stannard is a BACP therapist based in the United Kingdom with five years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family difficulties, trauma and abuse, and concerns related to LGBT identity. Maria also supports those dealing with grief, eating and body-image issues, low self-esteem, and feelings of isolation.
Maria uses a person-centred approach that values the person's own perspective. She aims to listen without judgement and to help people find their own resources for change. Sessions focus on clear, honest conversation rather than labels or lecturing.
Her background includes work with neurodivergent clients, including people with autism and Asperger syndrome, and with those experiencing dissociation, obsessive-compulsive difficulties, self-harm, and gender dysphoria. She also has experience around domestic violence, caregiver stress, and family problems. This gives practical experience across a wide range of life challenges common in early adulthood.
In practice she draws on existential ideas to look at meaning and life direction when clients feel stuck. Trauma-focused methods are used where past events are affecting day-to-day life. Maria prioritises pacing and consent so people feel able to choose how deeply to engage with difficult memories.
Maria is non-binary and works in English. She is a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP). To start, people are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and then book their first session.
How her approaches work in online counselling
Client-Centred Therapy places the person at the heart of the work. The therapist listens with openness and follows the client's lead, helping people talk through feelings and decisions. This style is useful for stress, relationship issues and uncertainty about next steps.Existential Therapy looks at meaning, choice and responsibility in life. It helps when people feel stuck, empty or unsure about purpose after big changes like leaving home or finishing university. The focus is on questions about values and how to live in a way that feels honest to the person.
Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on how past events affect current thoughts, feelings and behaviour. It involves careful pacing and consent, and it aims to reduce the day-to-day impact of traumatic memories rather than simply retelling them.
Deciding which approach to use is part of the work together. Maria will discuss goals, preferences and what feels manageable, and then suggest a way forward that can be adjusted over time. That decision is made collaboratively and can change as therapy progresses.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around study, work and travel. They also allow shorter check-ins, help avoid travel time, and can be adapted if someone prefers not to use video.
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?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family difficulties, trauma and abuse, LGBT issues, grief, eating and self-esteem concerns.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Maria uses a person-centred way of working that focuses on listening and supporting the client's own decisions, alongside existential thinking and trauma-informed methods where needed.
How much experience does she have?
She has five years of professional experience working with a range of concerns including neurodivergence and trauma.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a BACP therapist and a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP). She is based in the United Kingdom.
Can I work with her if I'm not in the UK?
Sessions are offered to international clients as well as people in the UK. Sessions are conducted in English.
What session formats are available?
The biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
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.