Maria Stannard, BACP

Maria Stannard is a non-binary counsellor who offers calm, practical support for people juggling stress, anxiety and low mood. They welcome conversations about relationship strain, family conflict, grief and issues connected to trauma and abuse. Maria also helps those facing concerns around eating, body image, self-harm and self-esteem. They work with people who are neurodivergent and those managing carer stress and caregiving demands.

Maria uses a person-centred style that keeps the client’s experience at the centre of each session. They aim to listen closely and reflect back what matters most, so people feel understood and can make clearer decisions. Sessions are grounded in everyday language rather than technical terms.

Alongside person-centred work, Maria draws on existential ideas to help people find meaning and make sense of life changes. Trauma-focused approaches are used when past harm affects daily life and relationships. These methods are used together to match what each person needs.

Maria holds BACP, which appears as BACP Therapist - Registered Member MBACP. They have about five years of professional experience in the United Kingdom. They offer sessions in English and are open to international clients, while asking people to check current session arrangements before booking.

People start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Scheduling then follows according to the therapist’s availability and the site's subscription model, which can be cancelled at any time.

How these approaches guide online therapy

Client-centred work focuses on the person in front of the counsellor. It involves listening carefully, reflecting what the person says and following their priorities to help them make clearer choices. This approach can help when someone feels stuck or needs support to cope with daily stressors.

Existential therapy looks at meaning, choice and identity. It helps people who feel adrift, empty or overwhelmed by life changes to consider values and purpose. This can be useful for issues such as life direction, guilt and feelings of emptiness.

Trauma-focused methods address the impact of past harm on current life. They aim to reduce the ways traumatic events continue to affect relationships, mood and day-to-day functioning, using structured conversations and gradual processing tailored to each person.

Choosing the right approach is part of therapy. The counsellor will work collaboratively with each person to decide which ideas and techniques fit best with their goals and needs. That decision is reviewed as work progresses, so plans can change if something isn’t helping.

Practical benefits of online work include fitting sessions into busy days and avoiding travel time. Online sessions can make it easier to keep appointments around caregiving duties or work. The profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking to ensure sessions match your routine and preferences.