Maria Merriman

Currently I work part-time for an Agency dealing with NHS referrals as well as part-time in my own private practice, offering afternoon/evening work  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. There is some degree of flexibility around this and occasionally can offer other days or weekend slots.

Are your thoughts driving you crazy? Feeling overwhelmed or experiencing low-mood, increasing anxiety or a loss of purpose in your life? Are your relationships struggling?

Life is full of twists and turns, and events in daily living, as well as memories from the past, can impact us all in different ways, leaving us with a sense of confusion, uncertainty or isolation.

Hi! My name is Maria Merriman. Having qualifications in four main therapeutic approaches, as well as a wide range of further training and life experience, I bring a variety of skills, tools and techniques to help you explore your current concerns. Together we can find the best way forward for you and your unique set of needs.

Qualified to Level 7 in both Person-Centred and CBT therapy respectively, I also have Advanced qualifications in Psycho-dynamic and Compassion-Focused therapy as well as a deepening interest/training in relationship counselling.  I draw from these approaches to offer a pure or blended approach, depending on each individual client.

A person-centred approach empowers you, the client, to search for your own answers and hear your own voice, sometimes for the very first time, in a trusting, reflective and compassionate environment.

CBT offers a more structured approach and an opportunity to step back and gain a deeper understanding of the processes contributing to low-mood; anxiety, intrusive thoughts or excessive worry. CBT works effectively with a range of anxiety conditions including OCD, panic, phobias, Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and PTSD.

At times client's are trouble by their past and together we take time to explore self-identity, relationship dynamics and how childhood experiences and developmental stages may have impacted your life.

Compassion-focused therapy benefits those who need to develop  a new relationship with themselves, through learning to recognise their inner-critic: the voice responsible for much of a client's continued mental unrest.

I am passionate about mental wellbeing and so my aim as a therapist is two-fold. Firstly to support you in an environment of authenticity and genuine positive regard, enabling you to offload, heal, uncover, explore or grieve, in a confidential and empathic space.

Secondly, my hope is that you can develop a growing self-awareness and ability to self-regulate your own mental health by gaining some knowledge of the factors influencing your overall mental resilience and mental fitness.

Challenges: Unexpected illness can bring a change in perspective or a loss of self-identity. Relationship problems, separation or divorce can bring a sense of disorientation. Bereavement can create a deep void, as well as a sense of loss of meaning, purpose and direction in life.

Daily life experiences such as parenthood; perinatal concerns;  menopause, ageing, traumatic events and childhood abuse all impact our sense of self-identity and self-worth and can bring feelings of confusion, guilt or shame.

Spiritually: A loss of faith in a religion or belief system or simply feelings of being dissatisfied and wondering if there is more to life, all impact our sense of wellbeing, motivation and desire to connect and engage in life.

For some clients, developing an understanding of what drives and maintains the over-thinking, low mood or intrusive thoughts; what happens in the brain with their flashbacks or intrusive memories; what influences their lack of motivation, or excessive worry or feelings of panic about their situation; what beliefs have informed their understanding of themselves and their sense of worth and purpose, can all help them recognise patterns of thinking and behaviours and become pro-active in regulating their own emotional and mental health moving forward.

As a therapist I offer a peaceful garden setting for my face-to-face work, with parking available on the drive. I also offer telephone and online sessions.

A positive therapeutic relationship is crucial if therapy is to support you, the client, in your unique therapeutic process. Often this is not something defined by reason but a feeling of being understood or of connection. Often it can be 'sensed'  in a conversation that you were made to feel relaxed or at ease. 

Initial contact is made via email directly to mmerriman27@icloud.com and followed up with a 20 minute online or telephone assessment to learn more about you and to ascertain your particular needs as a client. During this call you have the opportunity to question me and decide as best you can, if you feel comfortable proceeding to a first session. There is no charge for this initial  contact. 

Following on from this, our first session would involve a fuller assessment either face to face, online or via telephone, depending on your preference. This would be your first chargeable session. 

During this session together we discuss how therapy can best help you at this particular time in your life. Some clients have aims and set goals for therapy whilst others just want to talk and see where it goes.  

You may wish to book a set of sessions or just take it week by week, this is completely your choice. I look forward to welcoming you.