Dr Maria Vella - Counsellor and Psychotherapist
Dr Vella has enabled me to develop deep insight and reflection and in doing so empowered me to move forward from very challenging times in my life.
BPsy (Hons), MA, Post-MA Dip Ex-Phen Psych, PhD CPsychol, BPS (Accred), AFBPsS, HCPC Reg
Dr Maria Vella is a Psychologist in Psychotherapy with twenty years of clinical experience, practising in London and abroad. Maria obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in psychology with a post-MA Diploma in Existential-Phenomenological psychotherapy. She has carried out considerable research specifically studying what renders clinical work therapeutic. This led her to obtain a PhD in psychotherapy.
Maria works integratively, bringing together the strengths of the Psychoanalytic, Humanistic-Existential, Compassionate-focussed and Cognitive-Behavioural approaches. This gives her the flexibility to offer a bespoke service paying special attention to the particular needs of the individual she would be working with. She also takes into consideration the transcultural aspect in psychotherapy given that she has practised in different countries and worked with people from allover the world.
The areas in which Maria specialises include complex anxiety issues and stress, clinical depression, anger management, low self-esteem, multicultural issues, trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, disorders emanating from childhood, loss, help with bereavement and the occasional stuckness in mourning, sexual and psychological abuse, and psychosexual problems. Given her existential-phenomenological training, she helps people to face meaninglessness, isolation and lack of purpose in life, especially those triggered by stressful events and life transitions. Maria works with couples presenting with relational issues and infidelity. She also practises coaching and helps people with their vocational discernment.
Over the years she has worked for a number of organisations including the National Health Service, London's Westminster MIND, Women's organisations and Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services. She also works in academia, lecturing in psychology and psychotherapy.
Maria conducts Zoom and FaceTime psychotherapy and has an international clientele. She is chartered with the British Psychological Society, is an Associate Fellow of the BPS and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
