Maria Stannard

Maria Stannard is a BACP therapist practising in the United Kingdom with five years of experience. Maria works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, eating issues, self-esteem and questions about life purpose. Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted. Maria identifies as non-binary and centres work on the person in front of them. In sessions Maria uses client-centred approaches that focus on what matters most to the individual. Conversations begin with what a person notices is not working, and move at a pace that feels manageable. Existential ideas are brought in to look at meaning, values and choices when someone feels stuck or unsure about what comes next. Trauma-focused methods are used when past events are getting in the way of daily life. Maria pays attention to how trauma affects thinking, bodies and relationships and helps people develop practical ways to cope. The work often includes pacing, grounding strategies and talking through difficult memories safely. Maria also supports people with neurodivergence, including autism and Asperger Syndrome, and with concerns such as gender dysphoria, body image and obsessive thinking. Practical communication skills and problem-solving are common parts of sessions when relationship or family problems are present. Appointments follow a straightforward process. Prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session. The subscription model used for sessions can be cancelled at any time.

How Maria’s approaches translate to online work

Maria draws on client-centred therapy to prioritise the person’s own views and goals. That approach focuses on listening closely, reflecting what matters and helping people notice their own strengths. It can be helpful for anyone unsure what they want next or wanting to clarify personal values.

Existential therapy is used to look at meaning, choice and responsibility when someone feels stuck. These ideas help people consider practical steps and life decisions without pressure to reach immediate answers. Trauma-focused therapy addresses the effects of past harm by working on coping skills, pacing and grounding alongside careful discussion of distressing memories.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Maria treats this as a collaborative process and will discuss options with each person. Together they decide which methods to try based on current needs, goals and preferences rather than assuming one way fits everyone.

Session formats are not listed in the original biography, so confirm the specific options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into everyday life - for example shorter check-ins during a break, sessions without the need to travel, or phone calls when bandwidth is limited. Registered or accredited professionals often adapt exercises and grounding techniques so they work well in a remote setting.