Maria Polverino, BACP

Maria Polverino helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, depression and trauma. She supports those dealing with grief, addictions, sleep problems and struggles with self-esteem. Maria also works with parenting concerns, intimacy issues and people coping with big life changes.

She keeps the first sessions simple and practical. Maria listens closely to understand what matters most to each person. She treats people as experts in their own lives and looks for strengths to build on. The aim is to make small changes that feel manageable and useful right away.

Her approach draws on several evidence-based methods. Maria uses acceptance and commitment techniques to help people live by their values. She draws on cognitive behavioural ideas to spot thoughts and habits that keep problems going. Attachment-informed thinking and emotionally-focused work guide conversations about close relationships.

Maria has six years of professional experience and is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - BACP. She practises in the United Kingdom and works in English.

Sessions can be arranged by following the site’s Start Therapy process and completing a short matching questionnaire. Once matched, people schedule sessions at times that suit them and can choose formats that fit their day-to-day life.

Therapeutic approaches you can use online

Maria commonly draws on acceptance and commitment therapy and attachment-based work alongside client-centred conversations. Acceptance and commitment therapy helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck, then take steps that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, depression and coping with life changes.

Attachment-based work centres on patterns in close relationships. It helps people understand how early bonds affect current trust, communication and intimacy, and it is helpful for relationship strain, parenting challenges and attachment issues. Client-centred therapy focuses on a warm, non-judgemental conversation where the person sets the pace and topics for change.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk through goals, preferences and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they will try methods that suit the person and adjust as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to make therapy easier to fit into busy lives. Video calls are close to face-to-face meetings, phone can be simpler when bandwidth is limited, live chat works for quick check-ins and messaging suits people who prefer written reflection. These options help people access therapy from different places and at times that work for them.