About me
Coach - Therapist
Relational therapy and therapeutic coaching for emotional wellbeing, personal growth, and meaningful change
Hello, I’m Maria. I’m an Accredited BACP counsellor, coach, addiction specialist, supervisor and trainer. As a dual‑qualified ( humanistic integrative) coach-therapist, I offer a flexible, joined‑up approach that supports both emotional exploration and purposeful action. By blending relational counselling with practical, forward‑focused coaching, I support you in understand yourself more deeply, overcome what holds you back, and move forward in a meaningful direction with clarity, confidence and intention.
If you’re reading this because something in your life feels difficult, confusing or stuck, it makes sense that you’re looking for support. You don’t have to work through it on your own
How I work
I believe deeply in the human capacity for healing, growth and transformation, and I’m passionate about supporting people to move through their struggles and flourish. Here’s what you can expect when you work with me:
A safe therapeutic space
My approach is warm, calm, attuned and empathic. You’ll have a safe, steady space where you can feel genuinely heard and held; a space where you feel deeply understood, valued and supported. Many clients tell me it’s the first time they’ve felt able to speak freely without judgement.
Emotional, cognitive and behavioural Insight
Together we explore your patterns, triggers and emotional landscape. You may begin to recognise why certain situations feel overwhelming, why old wounds still echo, or why you respond in ways that no longer serve you. With new insight and resilience, you can start to imagine and choose what you want for your life going forward.
A Forward‑Focused, Motivational Framework
Using coaching skills, I help you identify and clarify your values, strengths and choices. We explore what brings meaning and purpose to your life, identify obstacles and unhelpful patterns, turn ideas into action, and develop clear, achievable goals. The coaching approach provides structure, momentum and a sense of progress, while building confidence, motivation and accountability. If you’re ready to move forward, I’ll walk alongside you
Flexibility to Meet You Where You Are
Some days you may need depth, reflection and emotional processing; other days you may want clarity, direction or practical steps. As a dual‑skilled practitioner, I can move fluidly between therapy and coaching so you receive what you need, when you need it. You don’t have to choose between therapy or coaching. The process is flexible and responsive to your changing needs
Support for Both Short‑Term Goals and Long‑Term Growth
Whether you’re seeking focused support around a specific issue or exploring deeper emotional or relational patterns, life transitions or meaningful change, I offer a whole‑person approach that honours both your inner world and your outer life. You may come with one question, and discover many answers.
Addiction Recovery Coaching
As a qualified and highly experienced addiction therapist, I work with a wide range of addictions including smoking, gambling, shopping, internet use, food, gaming, work, cosmetic surgery, prescription drugs and over the counter painkillers. My specialist area is substance misuse, particularly alcohol misuse and alcoholism.
My private practice offers confidential, bespoke one‑to‑one sessions. With over twenty years’ experience in addiction and health‑related behaviour change, I provide a steady, non‑judgemental space where you can begin to reclaim your life at your own pace
A Supportive space to help you understand yourself more deeply and shape your life with intention, clarity and confidence.
Working with me will be a supportive process supporting you to live more intentionally and feel more in control of your direction in life. We work at your pace and depth, with your therapeutic focus or goals at the centre.
If any part of this resonates with you; if you’re considering change, even if you’re not yet sure where to begin, you’re welcome to get in touch for a free discovery call. Sometimes a simple conversation is all it takes to start moving things in a new direction.
My practice is located about one mile from Bournemouth town centre. There is ample on‑road parking and excellent public transport links. I also offer online working
Training, qualifications & experience
Accredited Counsellor MBACP Accred. BSc (Hons), Dip Therapeutic Counselling, Dip CBT
I offer therapeutic counselling within a supportive, compassionate and empathic relationship. I work from an integrative approach, recognising that there are many ways of understanding human experience and that no single model suits all clients in all situations.
My work is grounded in the humanistic tradition, based on the belief that people have the potential and capacity to make the best choices for themselves. I also hold a firm belief in an innate ability for self‑healing, personal development and growth when the right therapeutic environment is provided.
I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and appear on their accredited register.
Therapeutic Coaching & Positive Ageing / Wellbeing Coaching
Diploma in Coaching • Member of the Association for Coaching
As a therapist‑coach, my coaching work focuses on helping you move from insight into action. Coaching is a collaborative, forward‑focused process that supports you to clarify what you want, understand what gets in the way, and take meaningful steps toward change. It strengthens confidence, builds resilience and helps you create a life that feels more aligned with who you are.
I am particularly passionate about supporting people in midlife and beyond who want to make their second half their best half. Successful ageing involves recognising that while our bodies grow older, our capacity for growth, development and new direction remains. Ageing well requires intention and action; there is much we can do to cultivate emotional resilience and create a future full of possibility. I would be delighted to support you in exploring this journey
Addictions Therapist BSc (Hons) Addiction Couns. Dip CBT
I have over twenty years experience in the field of addiction as well as further relevant experience in a more generic counselling practice.
I am committed to excellence and I'm passionate about offering you a confidential, quality professional service embedded in evidenced based best practice tailored to you.
My experience
Alongside my private practice, I have worked within NHS primary care, community counselling services, the voluntary sector and an addictions treatment settings.
I am a qualified and experienced therapeutic group facilitator and deliver psychosocial workshops and personal development training.
I also work as a trainer in counselling and coaching, and provide supervision in both fields.
Prior to my therapeutic training, I had a 20 year career in the Civil Service
Qualifications BSc (Hons) Addictions Counselling
Fd(Open) Counselling L6 Certificate in Counselling Supervision
Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Integrative) Diploma in Coaching
L5 certificate in Management and Leadership
PTLLS Teaching qualification
With your safety and wellbeing always in mind
I am fully insured to practice (full public liability), Enhanced DBS checked and as a reflective practitioner, I have regular supervision. I abide by the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice and am committed to the process of continuing professional development.
Member organisations
school 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 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
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Personal development coaching
Group work
Alcohol awareness training
Psychosocial workshops
Smoking cessation
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£65.00 per session
Additional information
Fees
My fees are £65 per counselling session (50 mins)
CBT and addiction therapy are £65 per session (50 mins)
Persona & Professional Development Coaching: £75 for 1 hour
Coaching package: Reduction for block booking. Please enquire
I offer a free initial 20 minute session to help you decide what your next step might be.
Reduced rates offered to counselling students for supervision.
Supervision Fees: £75/90 minutes £60/1 hour
When I work
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Further information
Please call me for your free consultation (with no obligation) on 075 267 20502 or
Email me at.... maria.scholes@choosing-change.co.uk
My practice is approximately 1 mile out of central Bournemouth making it very accessible to clients across the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation as well as those from across the rest of East Dorset. There's ample parking and Im on good transport routes
