Maria Forster

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BSc, Post Grad Dip in counselling & systemic family therapy

About me

I offer face to face and online or telephone sessions.  I am a relational therapist working with couples and individuals.  I am also Family Therapy trained, and work with people of all ages.  I am also a clinical supervisor.

I believe that, when we find ourselves in difficult times, we lose sense of direction and/or focus. It is important to take time to STOP and reflect on what's going on in order to help us work out where we are going, recharge and set new goals.

I am trained as a Systemic counsellor with over 20 years’ experience. I bring various styles of counselling to suit your individual needs.

I have worked with people who are struggling to cope with many mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.  I have also worked in all educational setting with children, young people and staff. I have a wealth of experience having worked for many years with special educational needs and ND for pupils with emotional behavioural issues.

I have worked with 'Relate Cymru' focusing on relationship issues and family breakdown. 

I have begun to expand my work with individuals and/or family members, who are offending or at risk of offending behaviour. I have taken this work into prisons and worked with issues around domestic violence and other criminal offences.

I understand that it can be daunting when thinking about seeking help and support - but being able to talk through your thoughts and feelings can help you gain a better understanding of yourself.  This can enable you to work out better ways to cope, change your way of thinking, enabling you to manage your own behaviour to situations and people. This can give you the skills and confidence to improve your life and emotional well-being.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Systemic Family Therapy
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Integrated Counselling
  • BSc in Criminology.

I keep up-to-date with new trends on therapeutic models to help with individual clients.  My work with relate, allowed me to develop expertise with individuals and couples around relationship issues, as well as developing and delivering various training on emotional well-being and mental health.

I offered training to counselling students for The Place2Be, who provide counselling and therapeutic support in primary schools.

I offer clinical supervision.

I have a wealth of experience working with adults who present challenging mental health issues.  As well as children suffering from emotional behavioural difficulties; family breakdown, depression, stress, offenders and mental health issues.   

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

I am working with individuals and families, of people who are at risk of or are involved in the criminal justice system due to their offending behaviour.

Fees

£40.00 - £75.00

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • OAPs
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed
  • Refugees

Additional information

I have a sliding scale and charge between £40 - £75 per session depending on the type of session and circumstances.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you would like any more information.

When I work

I am currently working online and am available during the day time, evenings and weekends.

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Children (0-12)
Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
Families
Organisations

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

AccessNI check

AccessNI carries out criminal records checks for individuals working in certain roles in Northern Ireland. Find out more at justice-ni.gov.uk , or contact this professional directly.

Online platforms

Whatsapp
Zoom
Microsoft Teams