About Me
My name is Maria Whyte. Some years ago I reached my own turning point and had my first experience of counselling. For me, while it was painful and challenging at times, it was by far the greatest investment I have ever made into my overall health and wellbeing.
The personal growth I experienced through being truly heard and supported by my counsellor, enabled me to have the courage and confidence to make some significant changes in my life. I was able to reconnect with the parts of myself that had been suppressed or forgotten, and I was able to process emotions that had been bottled up for many years.
I was able to release myself from the emotional chains of the past. This afforded me a sense of peace and freedom. It supported me in becoming more in tune with my true nature and my authentic self.
This means I am able to live a more fulfilling, meaningful and happier life. As a direct consequence of my experience, I decided to undertake many years of study in order to become a qualified counsellor myself. This allows me to be of service to others, who just like me, have perhaps reached their turning point and are in need of someone to talk to.
I am passionate about removing the stigma and improving awareness of mental health. After all, we go to the dentists to take care of our teeth without any shame attached to it. We see a doctor when we are physically ill and that's not judged. Why not give our mental health the the same care and attention ?
I am very proud of being in the counselling profession and consider my work as a counsellor to be a huge privilege. I have gained a number of years experience working with many clients who were suffering with a variety of issues including bereavement, anxiety, depression, the effect of abuse and phobias.
This means I am able to live a more fulfilling, meaningful and happier life. As a direct consequence of my experience, I decided to undertake many years of study in order to become a qualified counsellor myself. This allows me to be of service to others, who just like me, have perhaps reached their turning point and are in need of someone to talk to.
I am passionate about removing the stigma and improving awareness of mental health. After all, we go to the dentists to take care of our teeth without any shame attached to it. We see a doctor when we are physically ill and that's not judged. Why not give our mental health the the same care and attention ?
I am very proud of being in the counselling profession and consider my work as a counsellor to be a huge privilege. I have gained a number of years experience working with many clients who were suffering with a variety of issues including bereavement, anxiety, depression, the effect of abuse and phobias.
Alongside my private practice, I work as a volunteer with a local counselling charity. I am also the Mental Health Champion working within a Local Government Authority to help and support staff. Further, I blog on mental health related topics which you can read on my `blog' page. I practice mindfulness and meditation as part of my daily way of being.
I am committed to my continued professional development and regularly attend training courses to increase my awareness, knowledge and to inform my counselling practice.
I am committed to my continued professional development and regularly attend training courses to increase my awareness, knowledge and to inform my counselling practice.
My continual personal development includes courses on :
Anxiety
Depression
Self Harming
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Spirituality and the Therapist
Psychological Impact of Sexual Violence on Survivors and Partners
Surviving Sexual Abuse
Effect of Sexual Abuse
Effect of Sexual Abuse
Living and Working with Dissociation
Working with Disorganised Attachment
Trauma and the Body - Somatisation and Dissociation
Child Sexual Exploitation
Attachment Theory
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
Working with Relational Trauma
Trauma & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence and Teenagers
Shame
Working Through Blocks
Trusting the Process of Therapy
Trusting the Process of Therapy
Emotional Intelligence
The Power of Choice
Emotional Growth
Meditation
Mindfulness
The Power of Choice
Emotional Growth
Meditation
Mindfulness
Working with Clients with a Mental Health Diagnosis
The Language of Love
Power in the Room with Counselling Clients
Wounded Child Within
My Personality, My Body - (Embodied Living)
Working with Loss and Bereavement
I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within their professional guidelines and ethical framework.
