Maria Howard

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she/her
MBACP MSc
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Dukinfield, Cheshire, SK16
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Hi there, my name’s Maria Howard and I’m a fully qualified person-centred counsellor. I offer face-to-face, telephone and online video sessions.

All sessions are 50 minutes long.

I have over 25 years’ experience helping people who have struggled with various mental health issues, such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Bullying
  • Abuse
  • Gender identity
  • Family/relationship breakdown
  • Bereavement
  • Hallucinations
  • Self-harm
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Trauma

I left psychiatric nursing and re-trained as a person-centred counsellor, because I strongly believe that this kind of talking therapy can offer long-term benefits to anyone, regardless of age, gender or background.

Counselling helps you to look beyond your current mental distress, by exploring possible causes from the past. My aim is to help you discover new understanding, develop greater resilience, and an acceptance of yourself. With these changes you can move forward when you may have felt stuck for some time. Our sessions will be guided by what is important to you, and we will work at a pace that is comfortable for you.

As your counsellor I will listen without judgment and offer you acceptance and compassion. I will guide and support you to discover your own answers and make your own decisions. In this way, you can leave therapy with an improved sense of wellbeing, and greater confidence to face any new challenges that come your way.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Salford (2019)
  • BSc in Psychology from the University of Southampton (1990)
  • Registered member (374757) of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
  • I also hold an enhanced DBS certificate.

In addition to my private counselling work, I have worked for a local charity counselling children and young people for several years. I also spent a year as a volunteer counsellor at Stockport Womens Centre.

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

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£45.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors

Additional information

All sessions are 50 minutes long and cost £45. A discounted rate of £35 per session is available to students in higher education. Home visits incur an additional cost.

In addition, I offer a free, no obligation, 30-minute introductory chat either online or over the phone, where we can discuss any of your queries and concerns.

When I work

I usually have some daytime availability across the week. I can also offer early evening appointments Mon-Weds.

Dukinfield, Cheshire, SK16

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

DBS check info

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

My premises are on the ground floor, but you may need to be aware that there is a small step at the entrance doorway.

Online platforms

VSee

Social