Ms Maria Mead
Member Status: Accredited
Member No: NCS17-05597
Location: Enfield
Hello and welcome,
I specialise in counselling with both individuals and couples. One of the unique aspects of counselling is that it gives you the opportunity to share your concerns within a safe and confidential space with someone neutral. Talking to supportive family and friends can be helpful although you may find you hold back from saying what you really mean or feel for fear of being a burden or upsetting them.
Counselling made a difference to my own life and gave me the strength to get through a very difficult time and the motivation to keep going to bring about positive change. It was the best investment I ever made in myself.
Background Information
I started my counselling career in 2007 as a voluntary counsellor in a bereavement charity in Camden, London. Loss comes in many different forms and can result in increased levels of generalised anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, a loss of self-confidence, social anxiety, isolation, chronic loneliness, all of which threaten our ability to connect with others and can leave us feeling helpless, powerless, hopeless, ashamed, etc.
I pro-actively work and engage with people from all walks of life and backgrounds who find themselves in emotional turmoil or distress or who just want to be able to cope better and find some relief from panic attacks, depression, anxiety, stress, relationship issues, trauma, etc. Not everyone who seeks counselling is necessarily in emotional distress. You may be at a ‘crossroads’ in your life and seek counselling support to explore your possibilities or overcome obstacles.
I am also consulted by people who are seeking to develop confidence and who wish to “find their voice” as well as younger people experiencing exam stress, bullying, cultural, relationship or family concerns.
Couples Work
I have a special interest in working with couples and helping them to change the negative cycle between them. I understand the distress felt by partners by being stuck in a repeating negative pattern. Due to our relationship histories, many of us have difficulties with trust and in expressing emotions to those who mean the most to us. As a result of this we develop habit-forming ways of reacting to our partners which ends up causing pain and despair. The main aim of couples counselling with me is to work on these patterns and work on changing your negative interactions in a neutral, containing, non-judgmental and confidential environment.
I have trained with the Couples Institute (USA) for one year under its founder Dr Ellyn Bader Phd author of 'In Quest For The Mythical Mate' and 'Tell Me No Lies'. The Couples Institute takes a developmental approach to relationship work drawing on different therapeutic approaches, including neuroscience.
I have also completed a 4 day Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy run by the Institute of Emotion-Focused Therapy under its founder Dr Sue Johnson, author of 'Hold Me Tight' which draws upon experiential, systemic and attachment theory to understand the dynamics of the couple relationship.
Continuing Education
I am a trained integrative counsellor which means I am trained to be able to adapt my counselling to your personality and needs. As part of my continuing professional development, I have also attended workshops and short courses on teaching Mindfulness skills to clients, Compassion Focused Therapy and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy.
Please do not hesitate to contact me by telephone or email if you wish to discuss your circumstances in order to see whether I can assist you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm wishes,
Maria - Tel: 07940565603