Maria Dokanari
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Welcome. I am Maria. I am an Integrative Psychotherapist and UKCP reg. Supervisor and I provide therapeutic support to children, adolescents and adults, as well as supervision to clinical and non-clinical professionals. I am also a Training Supervisor at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE) and a Group Supervisor, at Schools Counselling Partnership, London.
I currently work online
How I work:
I practice empathic, trauma-informed and attachment-informed psychotherapy.
I work on a one-to-one basis to help children or adults who experience emotional difficulties or go through a life crisis, as well as with parent and child in joint sessions, to help strengthen their relationship. I also offer support and consultancy to parents.
I work sensitively and support clients around difference (e.g. LGBTQI+, sex, gender, sexuality, race, culture, disability, neurodivergence).
My practice is LGBTQI+ affirmative.
My practice is Neurodivergence and Disability affirmative.
My work takes place in the context of an empathic therapeutic relationship. In a safe, caring and confidential space, I help children and adults work through psychological pain or trauma, develop healthier coping styles, improve their relationship with themselves and others, as well as manage every day stressors and live more fulfilling lives.
Part of the work can be using image, metaphor, play and the Arts (clay, paint, sandplay, music, puppetry, poetry, drama, body-work, movement), that can encourage self-awareness, enable creativity and offer individuals a language to talk about their feelings in a safe and non-threatening way.
I have an interest in supporting children and families around neurodiversity and disability and in working alongside them to help them live their lives confidently.
I work in an ethically responsible way, which is not neutral to social injustice, to the violation of human rights and to the oppression of marginalised people.
Supervision
I offer supervision, support and guidance to adult and child Counsellor and Psychotherapists, coaches, practitioners of helping professions and practitioners who work in health and education.
I also offer reflective practice and consultancy to all professionals (non-clinical) who want to benefit from a supportive space in which they can reflect on their work and gain insight into their personal and professional development.
I offer one to one or group supervision.
Languages:
I can offer sessions in English or Greek language.
I have regular clinical supervision and I abide by the code of Ethics of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE).
Training, qualifications & experience
I have experience in working with children, adolescents, adults and families with a range of difficulties.
I have worked clinically at CAMHS, NHS (National Health Services - Schools and Triage) as a member of a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals, supporting clients and families who struggled with complex issues, including Looked After Children. I have also extensively worked in primary and secondary schools across London, where I provided therapy to students and supervision to school staff.
I have trained in child & adolescent psychotherapy, parent-child therapeutic work, psychology, art psychotherapy, counselling, relational psychotherapy. I have also undergone official training and have qualified and am UKCP accredited as a clinical supervisor.
What is Integrative Psychotherapy?
My therapeutic model is integrative; this means that it draws from several psychotherapeutic approaches, in order to adapt flexibly to the uniqueness of each client. It is a predominantly relational approach: it prioritises building an empathic and trusting relationship and it is based on respecting each person's needs and abilities.
It is psychodynamic, humanistic and based on attachment theory, on the brain neurochemistry of emotional experiences and on body-related work in relation to traumatic experiences. It is also informed by Gestalt, TA, Neuroscience and draws from evidence-based research.
My qualifications:
Diploma in Clinical Supervision of Counselling and Psychotherapy with children and adults (Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education : IATE)
Certificate in Clinical Supervision of Counselling and Psychotherapy with children and adults (IATE)
MA in Integrative Child Psychotherapy (Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE) & London Metropolitan University)
Diploma in the Therapeutic and Educational Application of the Arts (IATE)
Certificate in Counselling Skills (IATE)
BSc Psychology (Cardiff University)
Counselling Skills (Cardiff University)
Member organisations
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.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
I have experience in working with children, adolescents, adults and families with a range of difficulties around: trauma, bereavement, anxiety, social anxiety, negative body image, low self-esteem, depression, self-harming, aggression, withdrawal, ADHD, Autism, bullying, abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence, divorce, illness, substance and alcohol abuse, fostering, difficulties in social skills and peer relationships, attachment and relational difficulties, gender and sexuality related difficulties.
Therapies offered
Fees
£75.00 - £85.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Initial consultation
To book an initial consultation, please contact me on the provided contact details. In the first meeting, we will explore your concerns (or your concerns regarding your child), I will answer any questions you may have and we will decide together if therapy is suitable for you (or your child). The initial consultation (and subsequent parent meetings) are charged at the standard session rate.
The duration of therapy depends on the individual circumstances and we regularly review the work together.
Sessions last 50 minutes and take place on a weekly basis, on the same day and at the same time.
All sessions are confidential.
Fees: £75-£85 per session (limited low-cost places are available depending on individual circumstances e.g. for students and clients on a low income; please contact me to discuss in more detail)
Supervision: Some places on the lower scale for trainees