Maria-Alda Gomez
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
It is normal to feel apprehensive about seeing a therapist, whether this is your first attempt at tackling your issues or a new one. You might have doubts about what is happening to you or about therapy itself.
In the first session, you will learn how it works, and what may be happening to you. You would normally feel more empowered and reassured that help is possible. Therapy is not easy because it is like looking at yourself in a mirror, especially the parts that you don't like. The magic of therapy is that little by little, with patience and gentleness, you might start seeing a beautiful face looking back at you from the mirror, as you start accepting who you are.
Your "unforgivable" behaviours might become heroes that helped you survive that you can contain with patience and tenderness, while keeping good boundaries with them so that they do not create havoc in your life.
Getting to know oneself is a life-long journey. Therapy can help you to get started and teach you tools so that you can do it yourself, and you can make the most of your life.
Training, qualifications & experience
With over 13 years of experience as a psychotherapist, I have worked in diverse settings, offering support to individuals navigating complex personal challenges.
My journey began at the Centre for the Care of Survivors of Torture in Dublin, the only centre in Ireland specialising in trauma treatment for refugees and asylum seekers. Working in both French and English, I gained invaluable experience supporting individuals who had endured unimaginable hardships.
In 2012, I opened my private practice in Dublin, and since moving to the South West of England in 2014, I have continued working in private practice in person and online. I also collaborated with Palace Gate Counselling Services in Exeter for two years, deepening my understanding of the diverse needs of my clients.
While my clients come from varied backgrounds—different ages, life experiences, and careers—many share a common thread: they are spiritual, sensitive, and creative individuals. Some have family members with disabilities, as I do. Others are devoted to creative pursuits such as writing, music, or the arts.
Highly sensitive people are often drawn to my practice. If you are one, you know how deeply the world can hurt. Loneliness, witnessing suffering, absorbing distressing news, and navigating the complexities of love and pain can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: you are not alone.
You have the capacity to feel deeply, to learn, to grow, and to heal. At your core, you are creative, resilient, and capable of transformation. Together, we can work to shed the layers that no longer serve you, allowing your authentic voice to emerge—strong, clear, and uniquely yours.
Qualifications
- 2024 - Currently training in Supervision by the Gestalt Centre in London
- 2023 - Diploma in Practising Energy Psychotherapy, UK
- 2023 AIT Accredited Practitioner - Basics, Mastering, Presence & Dissociation, Depths - Advanced Integrative Therapy Institute, USA
- 2019 - Accredited Qualified EFT Practitioner with EFTi (Emotional Freedom Techniques International), UK.
- 2012 - MA in Psychotherapy at DBS, Dublin, Ireland.
- 2010 - Higher Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy at DBS, Dublin, Ireland.
Trauma
- Specialised Training in Trauma with Janina Fisher.
- Online seminars on trauma organised by the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute.
- Experiential training in IFS (Internal Family Systems).
- Rewind Technique with David Muss.
- PTSD & Attachment Seminar - Felicity de Zulueta.
Mindfulness
I am an active tai chi and qigong practitioner. Tai chi and qigong are ancient Chinese practices used in China for both physical and mental well-being. They are mindfulness practices.
Creative Approaches
Sandtray therapy, dance, art, drama, shamanism - I have trained in / experienced all of these modalities of therapy which I can incorporate to our work together if it feels right for you.
Creative Supervision (In person and Online)
I have spaces available for counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists who are looking for a highly creative and intuitive supervisor who will accompany them in the exploration of their work.
For more information, please visit my website.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Living abroad, ex-pats
- Life transitions
- Loss, including multiple losses
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 - £85.00
Additional information
I offer a free 15 min information phone call. No concession spaces are available at the moment.
When I work
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Further information
I have one space available in person in Exeter on Tuesday afternoon/evening. I also work online via Zoom.
