Maria Rocha, BACP

Maria Rocha is a counsellor and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She brings 12 years of practice to help people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression and life changes. Maria speaks English and Portuguese and offers work with trauma, grief and relationship concerns.

Her approach mixes talking therapy with reflective, spiritual perspectives. She often helps people look for the root causes of current problems and to strengthen their sense of identity. Sessions are practical and aim to make daily life feel more manageable.

Maria uses several well known methods, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She also draws on existential ideas to help clients find meaning and direction. These approaches are blended to match the needs of each person.

In practice she listens for patterns that link past experiences with present struggles. Maria then works with clients to build new ways of responding to difficult thoughts and feelings. Therapy can involve exploring emotions, developing coping skills and clarifying personal values.

People typically come for help with addictions, parenting strain, work stress, body image and bereavement. Maria also addresses issues such as abandonment, care‑giver stress, dissociation and relationship communication problems. Her style is calm, open and focused on helping people make small, doable changes.

Therapeutic approaches and working online

Maria uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people notice difficult thoughts and choose actions that fit their values. ACT aims to reduce struggle with inner experience and support more meaningful behaviour. Attachment-Based Therapy is used to look at how early relationships shape current patterns. That work helps people understand how they relate to others and to themselves.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Maria will work together with each person to choose methods that suit their needs, goals and preferences. That collaborative approach means therapy can change over time as priorities shift.

Please confirm which online session formats are offered before booking, as the biography does not list specific options. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed and reduce travel time. It also lets people keep continuity of care when they are away from home or living abroad. Registered or accredited professionals aim to adapt exercises and discussions so they work well through remote sessions.