Maria Ioannou

Struggling with your mental health, or feeling anxious and overwhelmed? Stuck in patterns you recognise but can't seem to change, or unsure where to start?

You don't need to have it all figured out before you come and talk to someone.

I'm Maria, a BACP registered integrative counsellor working with adults in Worcester, in person and online. People often come to me with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, bereavement, low self-esteem or difficulties in their relationships, and a sense that things need to change.

Whatever's brought you here, I believe it makes sense given what you've been through, not that something's wrong with you. We all adapt to our circumstances, and sometimes those adaptations stop serving us.

If you've had counselling or therapy before, perhaps for years, and found that whatever changed didn't really last, that isn't a sign you're beyond help, or harder to work with than anyone else. Some ways of working focus on changing specific thoughts or behaviours, which can bring real relief, but don't always reach what's underneath them. If that sounds familiar, this way of working goes to the root of what keeps those patterns in place, so change has a better chance of lasting.

My approach is warm, supportive and depth-oriented. That means rather than treating symptoms on their own, we look at what's actually driving them, so the changes you make have a chance to last. You'll be heard without judgement. We'll pay attention not only to your thoughts, but to your feelings too, and to the relationships in your life, past and present, including the one between us. Rather than dwelling on the past, we work with how early experiences show up in the present, in the patterns, beliefs and body sensations that shape how you relate to yourself and others now.

Together we explore patterns such as self-criticism, shame or emotional ups and downs, trying to understand where they come from. This is how lasting change happens, grounded in what's happening for you now, so you can feel more balanced and connected in everyday life.

I see this as a collaborative process. Rather than handing you advice or techniques to follow, I'll offer things for us to notice and explore together, and you lead where we go with them. This isn't about reliving difficult experiences all at once, or being pushed further than feels safe - we go at a pace that keeps things manageable, so the work stays steady rather than overwhelming. It can take a little longer to unfold, but that's often what allows change to last, rather than being something surface-level that fades.

How I can help
I support people with a wide range of issues, including:

• Anxiety (generalised anxiety, health anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks)
• Depression and low mood
• Support for neurodivergent adults (ADHD and autism)
• Trauma, domestic abuse (emotional and physical) and childhood experiences
• Bereavement, grief, and loss
• Low self-esteem, low confidence, and perfectionism
• Stress and work-related stress
• Relationship and family difficulties, separation, affairs and betrayals
• Loneliness and disconnection

Next steps
If this sounds like what you are looking for, please get in touch by phone or email. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can ask questions and get a sense of whether I am the right counsellor for you. There's no pressure to decide.

I offer a  free 15-minute consulation.

Before we begin working together, we'll have a short call so you can get a feel for how I work and we can both see whether it's the right fit. This is offered as a video call rather than by phone.

The way I work is relational: much of what happens between us, including in this very first conversation, happens through being able to see each other, not just hear each other. Video lets us both pick up on more than words, and that connection is part of the work itself, not just a practical arrangement. It also gives you a real sense of what our sessions together would actually feel like.

If a video call feels like a barrier for you, do get in touch and we can talk about it.

Concessionary rates available for those on benefits or low income - please ask

What I Can Help With

• Complex trauma and early emotional wounds
• Anxiety, low mood, and emotional overwhelm
• Low self-esteem and harsh inner criticism
• Bereavement and loss
• Experiences of abuse (past or present)
• Relationship challenges
• Personal growth and self-awareness
• Work-related stress and burnout