Maria Palej, BACP, NCPS

Maria uses person-centred counselling to make sessions feel collaborative. That approach relies on listening, reflecting what matters to the client and responding to their pace. It can help people who need space to talk through feelings and make sense of what they want to change.

She also draws on mindfulness techniques to help manage stress and intrusive thoughts. Mindfulness offers simple exercises you can practise between sessions to calm the mind and reduce reactivity. Maria may combine these practices with short-term solution-focused tasks to set clear, achievable goals and build momentum when clients feel stuck.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss options during early sessions and adapt methods based on a person’s needs, goals and preferences. This collaborative process helps people try things out and decide what feels most useful.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to match different situations. Video calls are helpful when visual connection matters. Phone sessions can be easier when internet bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging suit quick check-ins, short reflections or people who find typing easier. These formats make therapy more flexible and help fit support around work, family and daily routines.