Maria Malone, BACP

Maria Malone greets people with a calm, straightforward approach. She focuses on helping individuals who are worrying about stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, parenting pressures, addiction or major life changes. Maria aims to make the first step easier by listening and working with each person’s strengths.

She has 15 years of professional experience in the United Kingdom and is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Maria draws on a broad set of therapeutic tools and adapts them to fit what each person needs. Sessions are practical and collaborative, with a focus on understanding what is causing distress and finding steps forward.

Maria emphasises a compassionate, non-judgemental style. She encourages people to name their goals and to try small, manageable changes between sessions. Where relevant she addresses issues such as trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, grief, intimacy-related concerns, ADHD, and stress from caring roles.

She also works with specific challenges like abandonment, attachment issues, body image, chronic illness and caregiver strain. Maria supports people exploring aspects of sexuality and alternative relationship cultures, including BDSM and kink, in a respectful way. Her approach recognises practical obstacles and aims to build coping skills that fit everyday life.

Maria encourages clients to view themselves as the expert on their story while she offers structure, tools and reflection. The goal is clearer thinking and greater control over daily choices, so people can move towards a more fulfilling life.

How Maria’s approaches work in online therapy

Maria uses a range of evidence-based therapeutic techniques and adapts them to the online setting. One common approach focuses on identifying unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour, and then testing small changes in daily life to reduce anxiety and low mood. This is useful for worries, stress and depression.

Another approach emphasises understanding the effects of past experiences, including trauma and attachment difficulties, on current relationships and self-image. This helps people make sense of strong emotions and develop different ways of relating to themselves and others.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Maria will work together with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs and preferences. She checks in regularly and adjusts the plan as progress is made.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video calls suit more in-depth conversations and visual connection. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or a simpler check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging let people work in shorter bursts, fit therapy around work, or continue reflection between scheduled sessions.