Maria Palej

Something brought you here today. Maybe you've been feeling anxious, low, or unlike yourself for a while now. Maybe you're struggling in your relationships, or going through a change that's harder than you expected. Or maybe you just can't quite put your finger on it, you only know that something feels off, and you're tired of feeling that way.

Whatever it is, it matters. And there is a way through.

I'm Maya, a qualified counsellor offering online sessions for adults who are ready to understand themselves a little better and feel more like themselves again.

How Counselling Can Help
Life is full of moments that pull us in directions we didn't plan for, a relationship that's struggling, a sense of self that's gone a bit wobbly, anxiety that's started running the show, or a life chapter that just doesn't fit the way you expected it to.

Counselling isn't about being fixed. It's about having a space, a genuinely safe one, where you can slow down, get honest with yourself, and start making sense of what you're carrying. Think of it like finally switching on a light in a room you've been navigating in the dark. Things become clearer. The weight shifts. You start to move differently.

My clients often come to me feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like they're going through the motions. By the end of our work together, they leave with greater clarity about who they are, what they need, and how to actually ask for it, from others and from themselves.

What I Work With
I support adults experiencing:

Anxiety - the kind that makes everyday life feel harder than it should be
Low self-esteem - the critical inner voice that follows you everywhere
Relationship difficulties - whether with a partner, family, or yourself
Stress and burnout - particularly for people who are high-functioning on the outside
Life transitions - career changes, loss, identity shifts, feeling like you don't know who you are anymore
Depression - low mood, emptiness, going through the motions

What to Expect in Your First Session
The first session is a chance for us to meet. There's no pressure to have it all figured out before you arrive. Many of my clients come in knowing only that something feels off, and that's enough.

We'll talk about what's brought you to counselling, what you're hoping for, and a little about how I work. You'll have space to ask questions, and I'll be honest with you about whether I think I'm the right fit. If I'm not, I'll tell you that too.

It's a conversation, not an assessment. You stay in the driver's seat.

How I Work
I draw on Person-Centred and Psychodynamic approaches, in plain English, that means I create a space where you're genuinely heard and respected, while also helping you understand the deeper patterns and experiences that have shaped how you think and feel.

I'm warm, but I'm not passive. I'll gently challenge you when I think it'll help, and I'll be honest with you even when that's uncomfortable, because real change tends to live just outside our comfort zone, not well within it.

I work online only, which means wherever you are in Europe, you can access sessions from wherever feels safe and private for you,  your home, your car, or your lunch break. Life is busy; therapy should be accessible

A Bit About Me
I'm Polish, and I spent 19 years living and working in London. That experience, of building a life somewhere new, navigating identity across cultures, and learning what it means to feel at home in yourself, informs how I work with people more than any textbook has.

I've been working in the helping profession for over 14 years, including several years supporting people in recovery from addiction. Since 2019, I've been in private practice, and I hold a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I'm a registered BACP member and NCPS Accredited Counsellor.

I'm also a real believer in personal development, not as a buzzword, but as a lived practice. I've spent over 20 years learning about the mind, emotions, and what it means to grow. This work is personal to me, not just professional.

Ready to Take the First Step?
You don't need to be in crisis to come to counselling. You just need to feel like something could be better, and to be ready to explore that.

I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can see if we're a good fit before you commit to anything. No obligation, no pressure.

Get in touch, and let's have a conversation.

Low mood / Depression
Life transitions
Personal development
Identity issues

Each session lasts 50 minutes, and my fee is £80 per session, payable by bank transfer before each appointment.

A small number of concession spaces may be available depending on your circumstances. Please do ask when you get in touch. I'm always happy to have that conversation.

All sessions are held online, which means no commute, no waiting room, and no need to fit therapy around anything other than your own schedule.

Choosing to invest time and energy in your own well-being is no small thing. This is your space - consistent, private, and entirely focused on you.