Maria Stannard

Maria Stannard is a person-centred counsellor who focuses on eating and food-related issues alongside anxiety, depression and relationship concerns. Maria speaks English and works with people who are looking to understand their feelings, behaviours and identity in everyday life. She recognises that reaching out for help can feel daunting and aims to make the first session straightforward and respectful.

Maria uses a person-centred way of working that puts the client’s experience at the centre. Sessions focus on listening closely, reflecting what’s said and helping people notice their strengths. She also draws on existential ideas to help people find meaning and make sense of difficult choices.

Trauma-focused methods are part of her practice when past distress affects daily life. This means attending to how trauma shows up in thoughts, feelings and relationships, and pacing work to what someone can manage. Maria is open about being autistic herself, which can shape how she notices sensory and communication differences in sessions.

She holds membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, recorded as BACP, and has five years of professional experience. Her background includes supporting people with grief, self-harm, body image and gender dysphoria as well as carers coping with stress.

Maria works from the United Kingdom and is able to work with international clients. Before booking, clients should confirm current session options and practical arrangements to find the best fit for their needs.

How Maria's approaches translate to online work

Maria uses person-centred work that focuses on attentive listening, reflecting what someone says and helping them find their own answers. This approach can help with issues like low self-esteem, eating and relationship concerns by centring the client’s experience and strengths.

She also brings existential ideas into therapy, which means talking about values, purpose and the choices people face. Those conversations can support people wrestling with identity, life direction or meaning after loss.

Trauma-focused work in her practice looks at how past hurts affect everyday feelings, body sensations and relationships, and proceeds at a pace the person can manage. This can be useful when trauma shows up alongside anxiety, dissociation or difficulties with self-harm.

Finding the right approach is a joint process. Maria will collaborate with each person to agree goals and try methods that suit their needs and preferences, checking in regularly and adjusting the work as required.

Practical benefits of online therapy include fitting sessions around work, caregiving or study commitments and avoiding travel time. If you want to know which session formats are provided, please confirm the current options before booking so you can choose what fits your day and technology needs.