Professional portrait of an experienced counsellor offering therapy for adults and young people aged 16 and over, specialising in anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, and neurodivergence.

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Maria Bloomfield

MBACP, BSc (Hons) Counsellor

About me

I am an experienced counsellor working with adults and young people aged 16+ experiencing low mood, depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, or who are late-diagnosed or suspect they are neurodivergent.

Our work will be engaging and collaborative with moments of humour and creativity – not just about listening. People experience me to be energetic, enthusiastic, warm, and real.

Research tells us that the therapeutic relationship is the most effective vehicle for change in counselling, so building a trusting, safe and accepting relationship with my clients is at the heart of my practice. I use what is happening in the counselling room, in your life and your unique personal history to help us better understand the issues you are experiencing and how best to support you.

No two people are the same. My approach to counselling is integrative, which means I draw from a variety of therapeutic approaches, tailored to your individual needs. I integrate psychodynamic, attachment theory and person-centred approaches. This means I can help you to discover unconscious processes and relational patterns which impact your wellbeing, grounded in acceptance, curiosity, integrity and empathy.

Sometimes it is hard to know how we are truly feeling, and even harder to find the words to express it. Perhaps it might be too painful or frightening to say the words out loud. At your discretion, and at your pace, I can offer some creative approaches to exploring what is going on for you without relying on words alone. This does not require being a creative or artistic person.

Who and What I Work With

If you are going through something, feel lost, want to understand or confront your past, or rediscover your authentic identity beneath the layers of expectation life has a habit of burying us under, I am ready to help you step in the direction of the healing you deserve.

Additionally, I am passionate about supporting people who are navigating a late diagnosis of neurodivergence, or who are considering if they might be neurodivergent for the first time. A combination of my lived and clinical experience means that I understand that a late self or official diagnosis can evoke an array of emotions.

Perhaps you feel bereft from lost years of not fully understanding yourself. Anger in response to missed opportunities to receive support. Discomfort in the face of a label. Relief that you have discovered why you might have found aspects of life challenging or have felt different. Exhaustion from a life of unknowingly masking. Shame from judgment. Confusion about how this impacts your identity.

I am committed to understanding and accepting your unique experience, celebrating your strengths, and helping you explore what this means for you, practically and emotionally. There is a way forward and I am hopeful that we can find it together.

Experience

My counselling experience within organisational settings includes working with adults at a general counselling service, and with young people at a sixth form college.

I also work for a charity where I mentor neurodivergent young people and adults to build self-esteem, confidence and develop accessible and inclusive pathways into paid employment.

Qualifications

  • BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy – University of Surrey
  • CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
  • CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
  • CPCAB Introduction & Level 2 Certificates in Counselling Skills

Memberships & Accreditations

Fees

  • £65 per 50-minute appointment
  • Private Healthcare Insurance

    • None