Margaret De Sousa Marques

I offer weekly and fortnightly sessions

(fees vary for these, please check my website for more information).

I offer Concessionary rates to students

Supporting Women Through Perimenopause and Menopause

I understand the struggles you are facing not just from experience of working with women but at a personal level too. Perimenopause and menopause often bring a range of symptoms—hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, anxiety—that can leave you feeling like you’ve lost control. On top of the physical changes, emotional and psychological impacts can feel isolating. Whether it’s dealing with your changing relationship with your body, navigating feelings of loss or grief, or managing life’s other stresses, you don’t have to do it alone.

This time of life can be a powerful opportunity for transformation. My goal is to help you embrace the journey with self-compassion, resilience, and clarity. You may not feel like yourself right now, but with the right support, you can reconnect with a more grounded, empowered version of YOU.

Each woman’s menopause journey is personal. Together, we will create a plan that fits your life and goals. Let’s walk through this journey together—you're not alone.

Some more information on the modalities I am professionally trained in but not limited to are as follows;

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a goal-oriented therapy that helps women during menopause by addressing negative thought patterns and behaviors. Menopause often brings physical symptoms (hot flashes, fatigue) and emotional shifts (anxiety, mood swings), leading to stress. CBT can help address symptoms of anxiety or depression, commonly experienced during menopause, by working on the negative thought patterns contributing to these feelings.

2. Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy explores unconscious processes and how past experiences influence current emotions. During menopause, this approach helps women with issues related to identity, aging, and emotional shifts:

Psychodynamic therapy offers a space to understand how past experiences shape these feelings, fostering a more integrated self-concept. Uncover the roots of challenging emotions, allowing for emotional processing and healing.Hormonal changes during menopause can strain relationships. This therapy helps women uncover unconscious dynamics in their relationships, fostering healthier communication and deeper connections.

Person-Centered Therapy emphasises self-exploration, self-acceptance, and personal growth, which is crucial for women navigating menopause:

Menopause brings complex emotions, and women may feel misunderstood. Person-centered therapy provides a supportive environment for exploring these feelings without judgment. This includes building Self-awareness and self-acceptance. Emotional Support can help you feel understood,  when you are isolated or disconnected.This approach empowers women to make decisions aligned with their values, helping them navigate lifestyle changes and self-care practices during menopause.

During the first session, we will discuss what brought you to counselling, and how we can work together towards your wellbeing.

I also do evenings for weekly and fortnightly sessions

(fees vary for these, please check my website for more information).

I am an Integrative counsellor, offering my services online or by telephone to individuals and couples. I can support you with challenges such as anxiety, low self-worth, relationships (betrayal, separation, polyamory) and bereavement. I have experience of working with clients from different cultures, religions and sexual orientation and with neurodiversity (ADHD and Autism). Apart from offering you a confidential and safe space to express your feelings, I also support you to explore and understand the problem in more depth, set achieveable goals for progress and provide strategies and tools to manage your emotions in the present so to aid your journey towards healing.

My training consists of various therapeutic modalities such as cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic and person-centred. I also incorporate mindfulness and self-compassion tools and use solution focused brief therapy approach with couples. Being able to work with different approaches is extremely helpful as I can draw on various techniques and tools that best fit your needs towards a successful journey of healing and personal growth. My professional journey as a therapist is deeply rooted and guided in my personal belief that we are all very unique individuals and that there is no one size fits all therapy.

Some of the modalities I am trained in but not limited to are as follows.

Person-Centred Therapy

Person-centred therapy focuses on your innate tendency to find fulfilment by using your own personal attributions and potential which have been dampened by false beliefs and influenced by societal pressures or negative relationships. These have impacted your self perception and your view of the world blocking you from self fulfilment.

I will provide a safe, accepting and open minded environment for you to explore and understand your negative thoughts and feelings that have lead to your problems. Together we can find your strengths and work towards building a more confident and empowered you.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is a a short term therapy, however I use this approach intertwined with others when needed to support you in identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviour that are destructive to your wellbeing.

With this approach I support you to understand your triggers and patterns and also to use various techniques to help with your healing and journey such as cognitive exercises, and relaxation methods (among others).

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy helps bring the unconscious to the conscious mind by working with your past and present, patterns and defences. I do this by drawing on similar techniques used in psychoanalysis, such as transference, free association and interpretation.

​This approach can be helpful for you to unpack traumatic experiences and move on from them so to reach some closure, enabling you to pursue personal growth and to overcome or manage the impact this has on your personal development and overall happiness.

During the first session, we will discuss what brought you to counselling and what may be contributing to your problem, followed by your goals and expectations towards healing and self-growth.

I work at your pace and change takes time and will vary from person to person therefore, there is no predetermined amount of sessions and you may cancel sessions if you change your mind and wish not to continue at any point.

Do you often feel like you’re not enough or that you’re constantly falling short? Are self-doubt and low self-esteem weighing you down, making everyday life feel like a struggle? Feel overwhelmed, inadequate, or unsure of yourself in your relationships and daily life? If you’re grappling with these overwhelming feelings and searching for a way to reconnect with your true self, you’re not alone and I can support you with this.

I understand how painful it can be to feel unworthy or lost. That’s why I offer a warm, empathetic, and confidential space where you can share your feelings without judgment. Taking the step to seek support is an act of bravery. It means you’re ready to challenge those negative thoughts and find a path to self-acceptance and inner strength.Together, we’ll explore what’s at the root of your self-doubt and work on building a stronger, more positive sense of yourself.

The therapy I offer is about helping you recognise your own worth and find the strength to face life’s challenges with more self-belief. My goal is to support you in this therapeutic journey of growing into the best version of yourself and to help you create a life that feels more fulfilling and true to who you really are.

I’d be honored to support you as we work towards understanding, growth, and a stronger sense of self-worth.

I am a qualified Integrative counsellor, and offer my services online, by email or by telephone to individuals and couples.I draw upon different approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic and person-centred. I also incorporate mindfulness and self-compassion tools.

My professional journey as a therapist is deeply rooted and guided in my personal belief that we are all very unique individuals and that there is no one size fits all therapy.

Some of the modalities I am professionally trained in but not limited to are as follows.

Person-Centred Therapy

Person-centred therapy focuses on your innate tendency to find fulfilment by using your own personal attributions and potential which have been dampened by false beliefs and influenced by societal pressures or negative relationships. These have impacted your self perception and your view of the world blocking you from self fulfilment.

I provide a safe, accepting and open minded environment for you to explore and understand your negative thoughts and feelings that have lead to your problems. Together we can find your strengths and work towards building a more confident and empowered you.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is a a short term therapy, however I use this approach intertwined with others when needed to support you in identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviour that are destructive to your wellbeing.

With this approach I support you to understand your triggers and patterns and also to use various techniques to help with your healing and journey such as changing those cognitive patterns as well as using relaxation and mindfulness methods (among others).

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy helps bring the unconscious to the conscious mind by working with your past and present, patterns and defences. I do this by drawing on similar techniques used in psychoanalysis, such as transference, free association and interpretation.

​This approach can be helpful for you to unpack traumatic experiences and move on from them so to reach some closure, enabling you to pursue personal growth and to overcome or manage the impact this has on your personal development and overall happiness.

During the first session, we will discuss what brought you to counselling and what may be contributing to your problem. We may also discuss tasks to reach your goals. I work at your pace as change takes time and will vary from person to person.

I offer a 20 minute initial consultation as a chance to meet before deciding to proceed with sessions. Building a strong therapeutic alliance is crucial for effective therapy so starting on the right foot by choosing a therapist that you feel is approacheable can make it easier to feel comfortable and to open up to when you start your sessions.

Welcome to my profile

I'm a compassionate and experienced counsellor that tailors therapy specifically for you- there is no one size fits all here!

Maybe you are living with a constant sense of pressure, second-guessing every decision or feeling like you are too much or not enough at the same time can be exhausting. Many of the people I work with have spent years masking, managing anxiety behind the scenes or carrying the weight of relentless inner critic. Does this sound like you too?  I provide a space to pause, untangle and understand what's going on beneath the surface as part of your therapeutic journey - a safe, confidential space without judgment.

 Some examples of what we could work on is managing negative thinking patterns, exploring and finding your identity, working with anxiety around specific situations or people and managing how you relate to others.

My goal is to support you in this therapeutic journey of growing into the best version of yourself and to help you create a life that feels more fulfilling to you. I work with neurodivergent adults (ADHD, Autism) as well as anyone else struggling with anxiety, self-doubt or emotional overwhelm or questioning their own identity. I am a cross cultural and LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist.

I'm a qualified Integrative counsellor on a PSA (Professional Standards Authority) accredited register and offer my services in the comfort of your own home as these are online for greater accessibility and convenience allowing you to access and engage in your self-care journey from anywhere.

I draw upon different approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic and person-centred. I also incorporate mindfulness, emotion focused therapy and self-compassion tools.

If you are looking for a therapist who really values diversity and who can support your personal growth without pushing a one size fits all model - I'd love to hear from you!

I am professionally trained in various modalities such as the ones below (but not limited to);

Psychodynamic Therapy:

My psychodynamic training helps me explore the deeper, unconscious drivers of anxiety and negative self-talk. Often, our inner critic is rooted in past experiences—such as childhood events, unresolved conflicts, or learned behaviors. In our work together, we’ll uncover these hidden influences and understand how they continue to shape your current emotional life. By bringing these patterns into awareness, you can begin to release their hold on you and develop healthier ways of relating to yourself.

With a person-centered approach, I create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your feelings freely. The goal is to build your self-worth and increase your self-compassion. In this empathetic environment, you can begin to challenge the negative beliefs you hold about yourself and start viewing yourself through a more compassionate lens. This approach helps you reconnect with your strengths, accept your flaws, and reduce the power of the inner critic.

Together, these three approaches give me the flexibility to meet you where you are and support you in creating lasting change. Through this integrated approach, you’ll learn to manage anxiety, silence the inner critic, and develop a healthier, kinder relationship with yourself.

I also work evenings.

Hi and thank you for taking the time to read my profile.

As an integrative counsellor, I offer a personalised approach to therapy, drawing on a wide range of techniques, including but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Person-centred and Psychodynamic approaches. Additionally, I believe in integrating creativity and expressive arts when appropriate to facilitate self-expression and self-awareness. This diverse training allows me to tailor our sessions to fit your unique needs, ensuring that we work together in a way that truly resonates with you. My counselling style is warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental. I provide a safe and confidential space where clients can freely express their thoughts and feelings.

Apart from offering you a confidential and safe space to express your feelings, I also support you to explore and understand the problem in more depth, set achieveable goals for progress and provide strategies and tools to manage your emotions so to aid your journey towards healing.

I offer my services online or by telephone to individuals and couples and can support you with challenges such as anxiety, low self-worth, relationships (betrayal, separation, polyamory) and bereavement. I have experience of working with clients from different cultures, religions and sexual orientation and with neurodiversity (ADHD and Autism).

Some of the modalities I am professionally trained in (but not limited to) are as follows.

Person-Centred Therapy

Person-centred therapy focuses on your innate tendency to find fulfilment by using your own personal attributions and potential which have been dampened by false beliefs and influenced by societal pressures or negative relationships. These have impacted your self perception and your view of the world blocking you from self fulfilment.

I will provide a safe, accepting and open minded environment for you to explore and understand your negative thoughts and feelings that have lead to your problems. Together we can find your strengths and work towards building a more confident and empowered you.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is short term therapy, however I use this approach intertwined with others when needed to support you in identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviour that are destructive to your wellbeing.

With this approach I support you to understand your triggers and patterns and also to use various techniques to help with your healing and journey such as cognitive exercises, and relaxation methods (among others).

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy helps bring the unconscious to the conscious mind by working with your past and present, patterns and defences. I do this by drawing on similar techniques used in psychoanalysis, such as transference, free association and interpretation.

​This approach can be helpful for you to unpack traumatic experiences and move on from them so to reach some closure, enabling you to pursue personal growth and to overcome or manage the impact this has on your personal development and overall happiness.

During the first session, we will discuss what brought you to counselling, what may be contributing to your problem and for you to get to know me as a therapist and see if we would like to start working together as choosing the right therapist who you feel comfortable with is really important for success.

I work at your pace and change takes time and will vary from person to person therefore, there is no predetermined amount of sessions and you may cancel sessions if you change your mind and wish not to continue at any point.The first session is also an opportunity for any questions you may have as well as discussing tasks to reach your goals.

I also do evenings for weekly and fortnightly sessions

(fees vary for these, please check my website for more information).

I am an Integrative counsellor, offering my services online or by telephone to individuals and couples. I can support you with challenges such as anxiety, low self-worth, relationships (betrayal, separation, polyamory) and bereavement. I have experience of working with clients from different cultures, religions and sexual orientation and with neurodiversity (ADHD and Autism). Apart from offering you a confidential and safe space to express your feelings, I also support you to explore and understand the problem in more depth, set achieveable goals for progress and provide strategies and tools to manage your emotions in the present so to aid your journey towards healing.

My training consists of various therapeutic modalities such as cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic and person-centred. I also incorporate mindfulness and self-compassion tools and use solution focused brief therapy approach with couples. Being able to work with different approaches is extremely helpful as I can draw on various techniques and tools that best fit your needs towards a successful journey of healing and personal growth. My professional journey as a therapist is deeply rooted and guided in my personal belief that we are all very unique individuals and that there is no one size fits all therapy.

Some of the approaches I am professionally trained in but not limited to are as follows.

Person-Centred Therapy

Person-centred therapy focuses on your innate tendency to find fulfilment by using your own personal attributions and potential which have been dampened by false beliefs and influenced by societal pressures or negative relationships. These have impacted your self perception and your view of the world blocking you from self fulfilment.

I provide a safe, accepting and open minded environment for you to explore and understand your negative thoughts and feelings that have lead to your problems. Together we can find your strengths and work towards building a more confident and empowered you.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is a a short term therapy, however I use this approach intertwined with others when needed to support you in identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviour that are destructive to your wellbeing.

With this approach I support you to understand your triggers and patterns and also to use various techniques to help with your healing and journey such as cognitive exercises, and relaxation methods (among others).

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy helps bring the unconscious to the conscious mind by working with your past and present, patterns and defences. I do this by drawing on similar techniques used in psychoanalysis, such as transference, free association and interpretation.

​This approach can be helpful for you to unpack traumatic experiences and move on from them so to reach some closure, enabling you to pursue personal growth and to overcome or manage the impact this has on your personal development and overall happiness.

During the first session, we will discuss what brought you to counselling and what may be contributing to your problem. I work at your pace as change takes time and will vary from person to person or couple to couple. The first session is also an opportunity for any questions you may have as well as discussing tasks to reach your goals.