Registration on file

Maria Stannard, BACP

Maria Stannard is a person-centred counsellor who aims to make the first step feel manageable.

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
+28 more

About Maria

Maria Stannard is a person-centred counsellor who aims to make the first step feel manageable. She speaks plainly and keeps sessions grounded so people can talk about what matters most. Maria is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, MBACP, and brings five years of professional experience to her work.

Maria focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, grief and trauma. She also supports people facing relationship and family problems, eating and body image concerns, and struggles with self-esteem.

Background and approach

Additional areas of focus include neurodivergence such as autism and Asperger Syndrome, gender dysphoria, and issues around isolation or caregiver stress. Her approach is person-centred, which means she starts from each person's own experience and builds therapy around their needs.

She also uses existential ideas to help people find meaning and direction, and trauma-focused methods when past harm is central to the difficulty. Sessions aim to be practical and respectful of each person's pace. Maria works in the United Kingdom and runs sessions in English.

She accepts international clients and adapts how she works to suit different communication styles. The emphasis is on clear, compassionate conversation and on helping people notice their own strengths. People who choose Maria can expect straightforward conversations, space to name difficult feelings, and a focus on small, achievable steps.

She encourages clients to set the goals they want and to review progress together as therapy continues.

Details from the counsellor's public professional profile · registration number listed

← Browse all counsellors

Registration

Body	Registration number	Expires
BACP	398442	May 2027

Registration details are as listed on the counsellor's public profile. You can check any number with the registering body.

Check on the BACP register

Sessions and payment

Sessions are held online through our partner platform, by video, phone or messaging depending on the counsellor.

Cost Costs are shown on the partner platform before you commit. If cost is a concern, ask about reduced-fee options.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Maria lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Ways of working Maria names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor lists and does not check training records.

How Maria's approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy places the client's experience at the heart of sessions. Maria listens closely and reflects what she hears so people can make sense of their thoughts and feelings. This approach suits everyday worries, stress, relationship concerns and self-esteem work.

Existential Therapy focuses on questions of meaning, choice and identity. It helps when life feels empty, when people face major transitions, or when they are exploring gender identity and life purpose. Conversations aim to clarify values and next steps rather than give direct solutions.

Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on understanding and reducing the impact of past harm. When trauma is a core issue, work is paced to match what someone can manage and includes practical ways to feel steadier in day-to-day life.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Maria will discuss options with each person and help decide what fits best based on their needs, goals and preferences. She treats this as a collaborative process and adjusts methods as therapy continues.

Online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions need less bandwidth, live chat is useful for short check-ins, and text-based messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These formats give flexibility and help people access therapy from different locations and schedules.

Frequently asked

What kinds of concerns does Maria work with?

She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, grief and trauma, plus relationship and family problems. Additional focus areas include eating and body image concerns, self-harm, and neurodivergence such as autism and Asperger Syndrome.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Maria uses a person-centred style that focuses on the client's own experience, alongside existential ideas about meaning and trauma-focused work when needed. Sessions are aimed at practical conversation and finding what helps the individual most.

How much experience does she have?

She has five years of professional experience working with issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship difficulties.

What credentials and location are listed?

Maria is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, MBACP, and practises in the United Kingdom.

Can I see her if I live outside the UK?

Yes. Sessions are offered to international clients and she works with people in other countries as well as within the UK.

Which session formats are available?

Sessions can be booked as video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How are sessions paid for?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.

What should I do to start therapy?

To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.