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Dr Maria Pournara

Dr Maria Pournara

Psychology 30040070

 

  • Fee assured
Overview
Fee assured

Specialises in

  • Behavioural Couples Therapy
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • Psychotherapy
  • Short Term Psychodynamic Therapy

Offers

  • Face-to-face consultations
  • Video and telephone consultations

About me

You might be feeling anxious, stressed or unhappy. You might be struggling with low mood or low self-esteem. You might be troubled by life challenges. You might be facing relationship difficulties. Or you might be a couple that is dealing with numerous stresses such as intimacy, betrayal, family tensions, parenting issues. This is when a therapist like me might be able to help.

I am a Chartered Psychologist HCPC, BPS and BACP registered with more 10 years of experience in the NHS, third sector and private practice. I am a highly trained and experienced psychologist providing evidence based psychological services to individuals and couples. I offer expert therapy services tailored to your specific needs helping you gain insight into current challenges, build healthy coping strategies and find ways to manage whatever life throws at you.

I apply my clinical expertise in a wide range of psychological and emotional difficulties offering a psychological service tailored to your unique needs. I aim to help you understand the root of your difficulties, acquire healthy coping strategies in order to lead a meaningful life and build meaningful relationships.


In my private practice, I see people every day who may be faced with a variety of issues. Some examples of how therapy can be helpful for you may be:

-Gaining a deeper insight of what may be causing your difficulties.
-Connecting with different aspects of yourself.
-Understanding your feelings and emotions.
-Exploring difficulties in relationships with others around you, including intimate, family, social or professional relationships.
-Managing problems, such as anger, sadness, stress, that impede on your day to day life.
-Changing behaviours or patterns that cause tension in your life.
-Finding ways to move forward.

More specifically, I have worked with anxiety, depression, relationships problems, affairs, family issues, addictions, bullying, anger issues and personality difficulties. My clinical experience further includes but is not limited to: panic attacks, stress, low confidence, low self-esteem, life-crisis, life transitions, work-related issues, loss, grief, trauma (including sexual trauma), abuse (including emotional, physical or sexual) and identity issues.


How can Counselling/Therapy help?

Counselling, or personal therapy, allows you to explore any challenges you may encounter in a safe, confidential space. Counselling can help you deal with difficult feelings and thoughts as well as issues that may affect your personal, professional or social life.

The therapist is there to support you in a non-judgemental way. Although therapists will not give you advice they will help you to find your own insights, identify your own needs and think about how you would like to move forward.

Counselling often involves talking about emotionally painful issues, therefore initially you may find you are feeling worse. However, this is often the case for most clients and with the therapist's support you should gradually feel better. Normally, it takes a number of sessions before counselling makes a difference and regular commitment with your therapist is highly recommended so that you make best use of therapy.

Training, qualifications & experience
List of Qualifications

Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (PsychD), University of Roehampton, UK

Advanced Diploma in Couples Counselling, NAOS Education, UK

Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (PGDip), University of Edinburgh

Master of Science in Counselling Studies (MSc), University of Edinburgh, UK

Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology (BSc), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Areas of interest

Depression
Anxiety
Generalised Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Stress
Work-related Stress
Low self-esteem
Anger management Issues
Trauma
Bereavement
Bullying
Relationship Issues
Family Issues
Affairs/Betrayals

About me
My qualifications & training
Consultant's practices
Information for healthcare professionals

Information for healthcare professionals (Bupa patients only, last 12 months)

Procedures completed

  • AA809

    Psychology session - (>50)

  • AB076

    Psychology session - remote - (>50)

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