Maria del Mar Malo

I currently have availability for mainly online with a minimal number of in-person sessions. Online sessions are available Monday to Friday, with early morning sessions from 7am onwards through the day into the evening with 9pm being the last session time. Not all slots are available every day, so please get in touch to discuss what might work for you.

A small number of In-Person sessions (Hackney, London) are available on selected Saturdays, with sessions from 9am through to the last at 12pm.

I offer a Free 20-30 minute online consultation before we begin working together. This is a relaxed opportunity to connect and see if we feel like a good fit.

Please feel free to contact me to check current availability. I do not pick up calls whilst with clients, or out of work hours. I endeavour to reply to messages within 24 hours on a working day. Contact  via telephone or email to arrange the time and date of your consultation meeting.

I'm Maria, an Integrative Counsellor working with adults online and in-person in Hackney, London.

I have a particular interest supporting through grief and loss, including pet bereavement, and the emotional impact of chronic illness and health related change. I also support navigating life transitions, anxiety, trauma, identity exploration, relationship difficulties and neurodivergence. I welcome LGBTQIA+ clients, people in non-traditional/alternative relationships, and those working in creative and performing fields, where pressures and rhythms of work can be misunderstood.

I offer a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental space to explore what feels difficult at your own pace, without pressure. Whether feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected, or carrying something that's hard to put into words, therapy can offer room to slow down, be heard, and begin to make sense of your experience.

Working Integratively, I draw upon a range of evidence-based approaches, adapting the work to suit your personality, needs and goals. I also often draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I believe therapy is most meaningful when it's collaborative and shaped with you in a way that feels right for you.

Before training, I worked in creative environments and the charitable mental health sector. Growing up in an immigrant family and living overseas have deepened the cultural sensitivity and curiosity I offer. I bring relevant lived experience which informs my work.

I'm committed to my own continuing professional development, regularly engaging in further study and training to deepen understanding and enhance the quality of care offered.

I understand how vulnerable it feels to reach out - especially if you're used to managing things alone. My intention is always to create a space where you feel safe, respected and able to show up as you are.

I offer a Free 20-30 minute online consultation so we can connect and explore whether working together feels like the right fit.

My practice is predominantly online, which many clients find convenient, accessible, and comfortable, especially those who are neurodivergent or live an alternative or creative lifestyle. I also offer a small number of in-person sessions on Saturdays in Hackney, London, in a private welcoming room hired for that purpose. I rarely offer in-person sessions during the week due to limited availability.

Sessions are 50 minutes and are usually weekly, though we can discuss what rhythm feels right for you. There’s no fixed number of sessions. Some find short-term work helpful, whilst others prefer longer-term support. We regularly check in on how things are feeling and what you need. Over time these can move to fortnightly and even monthly with decisions made collaboratively.

I use an Integrative approach, meaning I’m not limited to one model. Depending on what feels most helpful, I may draw on Person-centred, Psychodynamic, Somatic, Gestalt or other approaches. I also may draw upon elements of ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy). What guides me above all is you – your pace, your goals, and what genuinely supports your wellbeing.

I also offer Life Coaching as well as Life Coaching focused courses fully online - visit my website for further information.

Online sessions are £60 per session. In person sessions in Hackney are £80 per session. Concessionary prices are available. Please raise this during your Free consultation. Payment is requested at least 48 hours before each session by bank transfer, or Stripe payment (accepts Visa, Mastercard etc). 

Before our first session, I offer a Free 20-30 minute online consultation via Zoom. It's a chance to connect, for you to ask any questions, and to get a sense of whether working together feels right for both of us.

If you decide to go ahead, our first session is a gentle beginning. There's no formal assessment or forms and the only paperwork to complete is the emailed Contract to be returned prior to the session. We use the time to talk about what's brought you to therapy, beginning to explore what you're hoping for at whatever pace feels comfortable, but also giving time at the end to regulate if it’s been a difficult first session.

You're welcome to ask anything that might have come up after our consultation and there's no pressure to share more than you're ready to. I follow your lead throughout.