Maria (Integrative Counsellor)

 

Originally from Italy, Maria has been living in London since 1985.  She worked for several years for a counselling agency where she was trained in Play Therapy, Couples Therapy, Self-Harm and Suicide Awareness, Loss and Bereavement, Trauma and Depression. She worked for a charity that deals with Domestic Violence and working with male and female victims gave her an insight of the trauma and the destructive effects that spouse/partner/family can inflict to his/her nearest.  She worked as a school counsellor in a residential special school for boys aged 9 to 16 years who have social, emotional, and mental health difficulties.

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As well as working at Aurora, Maria works as a play therapist in primary schools with children that experienced trauma in their lives; helping them to build up resilience with trauma counselling, creative art and play therapy.

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Maria believes we are unique individual, conditioned by our background, mental development and outlook, surroundings and experiences. Creating an open-minded and healthy therapeutic relationship is the basis of her approach where a person has the chance to trust him/herself, others and the process of changing. What she gives is a safe, warm and compassionate environment in which the client will feel supported, at ease to explore and address his/her personal challenges.

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Professional Qualifications:

 

• Edexcel Level 5 BTEC Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Richmond Adult Community College)

• Trauma Focused Play Therapy and Counselling Diploma course (Flourishing Minds)

• Diploma in Integrative Play Therapy & Counselling with Children and Family (Steps)

• Certificate in CBT Skills (The Grove Practice Limited)

• Certificate in Integrative Sand Play Studies (Association of Integrative Sand Play Therapists)

• Certificate in Art Therapy (The British Association of Art Therapists)