Maria Howell , BACP

Maria Howell is a UK-licensed counsellor with seven years of professional experience. She supports adults, young people and children and practises under the umbrella of BCS Counselling Service based in South Wales, an ethical integrative organisation focused on making counselling accessible to those who need it. Maria holds BACP membership - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which indicates her engagement with recognised professional standards.

Her practice covers a wide range of presenting concerns including social and health-related anxiety, depression and low mood, trauma, borderline personality presentations (BPD/EUPD), bipolar conditions, obsessive-compulsive difficulties and autism. She also works with drug and alcohol use, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, bereavement, relationship and sexual issues, and offers support for LGBQ+ clients including bisexual allies. Additional areas of work include family dynamics, bi-racial identity issues, bullying, school and exam stress, work-related stress, low self-esteem and general wellbeing.

Maria seeks to create an open, non-judgmental space in which thoughts and feelings can be explored. She recognises the courage it takes to pursue a more fulfilling life and aims to support and empower clients through the steps of change and recovery.

Evidence-based approaches and flexible online therapy

Maria works with evidence-based therapeutic techniques that help people understand and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns. These approaches involve identifying thoughts and routines that maintain distress and developing practical skills to manage anxiety, low mood, stress and related difficulties.

She also uses trauma-informed techniques that focus on processing painful experiences and strengthening emotional regulation. These methods can help people who have experienced abuse, loss or other overwhelming events to regain a sense of stability and coping capacity. In addition, Maria draws on approaches that explore attachment and relationship patterns to address issues like intimacy challenges, family dynamics and communication difficulties.

Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. Maria works with clients to determine which techniques best fit their needs, goals and personal preferences, adjusting the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging - offer flexibility and accessibility for people with busy schedules, mobility limitations or those living at a distance. These formats allow licensed professionals and therapists to deliver consistent support while accommodating different communication styles and practical needs.