Maria Howell

Verified Professional Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

she/her
Counsellor, BA (Hons), MBACP (Accred)
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Kingston Upon Thames KT2 & London SW17
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Choosing counselling for yourself can be a daunting and challenging process, in an initial chat we can briefly discuss what brings you to counselling and you can ask any questions you may have after taking a look at my profile; it’s important to choose the right counsellor for you. However, It can also be a liberating journey, allowing yourself an allotted time to focus on you.

In my practice, I believe that each individual possesses the inherent capacity to conquer their inner struggles. However, at times, we require assistance in accessing these inner resources and untangling the complexities that have become obscured in our unconscious minds – much like unravelling a tangled ball of yarn. In an empathic, non-judgmental, and confidential environment, our therapeutic relationship can provide you with the essential time and space to explore, grow, and liberate yourself from unconscious destructive patterns that hinder your progress. Together, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, enabling you to forge a path towards a more fulfilling and empowered life.

I work with young people and adults who face a diverse range of issues, including anxiety (both social and health-related), depression, trauma, BPD/EUPD, bipolar disorder, OCD, autism, drug and alcohol use, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, bereavement, relationship and sexual issues, LGBTQ+ (with a bisexual ally focus), family issues, biracial experiences, bullying, school exam stresses, work-related stress, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, general well-being, and more.

Client Testimonials:

"After having Maria as my counsellor, I've managed to build the tools to deal with situations that trigger me, my ticks have entirely gone during the day and I've been able to understand my traumas and how they've affected me in my daily life. Prior to these sessions I was in a very dark place and having addiction problems, my psychosis episodes were often and I didn't understand why or how to fix it. Since being able to talk to Maria and understand why these where happening, my life has drastically improved through these sessions, my relationships with my friends and family are better than ever and I've been sober now for 1 year + 3 months. When I feel everything is too much, I try to put what Maria's taught me into play and her words of advice. Words cannot describe how thankful I am for her.”

"I found my sessions with Maria very beneficial. Maria has a kind and gentle manner and I felt she was able to listen to me without judgement. I appreciated the suggestions Maria gave during our sessions but also in how she supported me to follow my own intuition and judgements. I felt Maria was also able to challenge my thinking/behaviours during the sessions and that this was done in a considerate and gentle way. My sessions with Maria gave me the space and time to reflect and work on difficult issues raised over the last few years for me: I felt Maria helped me to achieve the confidence I needed to begin dealing with these issues. I would recommend Maria to anyone who feels they would benefit from a compassionate and knowledgeable counsellor."

“I found our sessions very calming and found that just talking to someone completely removed from my life relieved so much pressure! I found your insight very useful and will definitely come back if needed.”

"Felt very comfortable talking to Maria and discussing lots of different aspects of my life. A very kind and understanding counsellor"

"Very attentive and kind. Willing to listen and learn about parts of my life that were unfamiliar to her."

"Maria was really good especially with the kink acceptance part but as well as with the work part."

"Thank you for your hard work. You have been so helpful and kind that I can't thank you enough.”

Training, qualifications & experience

Past Studies: 

  • BA (Hons) Humanistic Person Centred Counselling 
  • Trauma Therapy (CCTP/CCTP-11)
  • 3 years experience in Play Therapy with Place2Be
  • 1 years experience running a group in Art Psychotherapy at MA level 
  • Experience with complex mental health as a mental health support worker
  • Voluntary work with YMCA 
  • BACP Accredited:

"BACP accreditation is the gold standard of experience and knowledge in counselling and psychotherapy and nationally recognised..." Quoted from BACP website

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

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
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

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Currently studying

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) - I am currently looking to specialise in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)/Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). I have in-depth knowledge and experience of BPD & current clients. To enhance my skills in this area I am currently pursuing training in DBT, as recommended by NHS/NICE guidelines: nice.org.uk

Photos & videos

Fees

£40.00 - £60.00

Concessions offered for

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

Additional information

Please email to get in contact as a preference for a speedy reply and leave your mobile as well as responses can get filtered to junk . I will get back to you as soon as I can via email and notify you I have made contact via txt. 

*Please remember to check your junk mail as replies often get filtered*

Prices:

£40 - Concession price, daytimes only - currently full

£60 - standard session cost (evening slots currently full) 

Bi-weekly slots available 

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT2

London, Greater London, SW17

Type of session

Online
Phone

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Organisations

Online platforms

Whatsapp
Google Meet

Social

Maria Howell
Maria Howell