Maria Roberts

Who I work with

I work on a one-to-one basis with adults and young people who might be suffering from low self- worth, anxiety, stress, depression, confusion, trauma, bereavement, negative life or behaviour patterns, people who feel they have lost their direction in life, feel like they don’t fit in or have simply lost their joy. 

The way I work

I am qualified in the Person-Centred approach. This means that as your counsellor, I will be non-judgemental, accepting and I will try to see the world through your eyes. I will be as genuine as I can and offer you the space you need to find the answers you are looking for.  I will not tell you what I think you should do or who I think you should be.  Instead, I will utilise therapeutic listening skills to support you on your journey of discovery and self-actualisation.  I will respect your innate ability to know what is best for yourself and will be with you throughout the process, which is often a difficult one.

A typical session

A typical session is 50 minutes long and should be taken up mostly by you, the client, talking. As your therapist I will respond appropriately but the time is yours to be heard. At times, it may be appropriate to bring in some ideas and techniques from other modes of counselling such as CBT, MBCT, Transactional Analysis (TA) and the Psychodynamic approach.  I will always be open about using these techniques and will ask you if you wish to work with them as this is your journey and you are in control of your own process.

Number of sessions

Initially I offer between 6 – 12 sessions.  However, some people feel that they need longer to explore in more depth.  I will offer a review towards the end of therapy and if you should feel that you would like to continue for longer, then this can be arranged.

Other things to expect

Sometimes it takes time to feel the benefits of counselling and it is common for people to feel worse before they feel better. Learning to trust another adult with your emotions can also take time. It is often the case that it takes quite a few sessions before deep emotions and problems start to surface.  For some people, being able to talk to someone who is genuinely listening is a very powerful but unusual experience and it can take time to get used to this.

Any progress you make in counselling is down to you.  You deserve the credit for all the hard work.  You may feel like your counsellor has made the changes but change can only happen from within.  We can only ever change ourselves.

If you feel unsure about something

As your counsellor, I welcome you to ask questions about the process and question anything that you feel uncomfortable about.  I will not judge you but will endeavour to work through the issues with you.

What to expect from your initial phone call

The initial phone call is an opportunity for us to introduce ourselves and  make a decision about whether we think we can work together.  I will explain in greater detail what to expect from the sessions, my way of working and will discuss contract that I would like both of us to sign.

It is an opportunity for you to explain in more detail why you have accessed counselling and what you want to achieve from the process.

It is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about the process.

If we feel I am the wrong therapist for you, then I can help refer you to someone more appropriate for your needs.

Where the counselling will take place

I practice from home and offer a comfortable, private and confidential space to hold the sessions.  There is a toilet available for client use. Please be aware that there is no waiting area, should you bring someone else along.

Disability access

The property is relatively accessible.  The counselling room is accessed from the outside but there is a small lip over the threshold into the counselling room.  I will be happy to discuss this with you in greater detail in order to make appropriate arrangements.

Parking and public transport

There is ample parking on the road outside the property and the village is on a regular bus route.

Some final thoughts.....

The process of change never ends.  We are fluid creatures who are constantly faced with life’s fluctuations.  Being open to and aware of these fluctuations can greatly enhance our psychological wellbeing. Knowing what we need to support us through these changes is a step towards knowing ourselves and loving ourselves. Accessing counselling in not a sign of weakness but an indication that you are being brave, taking an honest look at yourself, your relationships and your life.

Maria Roberts

£50.00 per 50 minute session