Client's Experience
"I walked in afraid, full of guilt and shame afraid to look up, fearful of even exposing what I had taken, so wrongly to be my truths. In the months that followed like a Russian doll Maria took me on a journey in which I discovered my real truth, real purpose, my true heart, my true identity. Slowly and step by step more of the lies said over me were exposed and the truth given light.
To know that I was not alone, that each week someone was there to help, to build up, to affirm and to believe was life transforming and almost life giving.
As someone with a strong faith acknowledging the need for help and then accepting it I thought would be hard. Maria made it such a positive experience. Today, I have left behind so much rubbish, shed so much shame and guilt, even taken life changing decisions that mean I chase the dreams that were hidden so deep inside.
I have over the years done, and been to, many listening courses and been counselled before. Never though in such a way. I cannot and never will be able to thank Maria enough. She has changed my life and given me the one I was always supposed to have."
AW -
Having only been in therapy for one year, the amount of transformation I saw was incredible and I feel as though I'm a different person to myself and others. After going through a somewhat turbulent childhood, I found speaking in sessions to be extremely cathartic and something that helped uncover feelings that I had been suppressing for years and not able to approach with the kindness and love that I should have done. Maria has an incredible gift but also a loving and warm heart which helps clients like me process things that are causing them problems emotionally or even affecting their everyday life negatively. I'm very thankful to have experienced this type of inner-work and therapy at such a young age and know the tools and management techniques will continue to play a vital role in my life. It was possibly one of the best investments I have ever made and look back at my therapy with Maria with a grateful heart and will cherish it forever.
LL - Student
"It is with Maria’s help that I can now navigate through life fairly smoothly, for the majority of time. Life is never easy, or simple, but thanks to Maria’s belief in me, as a human being and not just another client; not just another mentally broken individual; not just another number - I can now get through the intermittent turbulence. She has given me many tools to help cope with day to day life, and methods to cope when things get a little tough - but the best and most wonderfully amazing thing Maria has given me is the belief that I am worth something: that I am a valid human being who deserves to love and be loved.
I met Maria at one of the darkest and most despondent points in my life, and with kindness, gentleness, patience, wisdom and understanding, she has held my hand and walked beside me as I found the path to a much happier place. And for that, I can never say thank you enough.
For anyone who needs a little extra help with coping with the difficulties life throws at us - I cannot recommend Maria Brooks highly enough."
Isabella - Receptionist
"At 11, I found myself in psychiatric care, at 16 I was diagnosed with Anorexia, at 18 I was formally diagnosed with complex PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder (or EUPD) and General Anxiety Disorder and at the age of 24 I found myself in a residential rehabilitation centre, close to death’s door, to address my addiction to alcohol and benzodiazepines. Over the years, I have encountered and, to be brutally honest, learned to manipulate many professionals, who have tried, and failed, to help me stabilise my volatile and emotionally complex self. And then I met Maria.
Maria has a wonderfully different approach to therapy - she fully understands and appreciates that it is not, and cannot be, a “one size fits all” treatment for those of us who are mentally fractured. She has taken the time to get to know me - not just my diagnoses. Something so simple, yet so incredibly important and so often overlooked. It is very easy to treat the diagnoses and not the person. Maria doesn’t just listen, she hears: she doesn’t just look, she sees and it is these gifts that make her so, so perceptive and such a truly wonderful therapist.
"I worked with Maria over a three month period during a residential stay at Broadway Lodge Rehabilitation Centre in 2016, during a recovery from Alcohol addiction. I went to rehab a 'broken man', ready to do what was necessary to get my life back on track. Maria was one of our group therapists over this time, and someone I came to trust in a setting that was often volatile, emotional and complicated. Maria's undoubted strength is her compassion, coupled with her strength. It often baffled me how someone could feel what was happening in the room so deeply, and yet continue to guide the conversation where it needed to go. Maria used questions and silence masterfully to create an atmosphere of loving guidance. She met us all in our vulnerabilities, was deeply human, at the same time I always felt she saw the best in us and lead us towards that. I trusted her implicitly and still do two years on. I am still sober today because of the work we did in those sessions. She is an outstanding therapist."
Simon - Teacher
"Maria is all you will ever need in a therapist - she’s incredibly warm, non judgmental, intuitive and insightful - drawing on a great depth of personal and professional experience. She creates a safe space for you to explore your story - here she’s a brilliant listener, hugely empathetic and asks great questions; while bringing wisdom when its most needed. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her."
PH - Leadership Consultant
“I highly recommend Maria. She is incredibly knowledgeable, patient and a great listener. I was not sure how helpful counseling sessions would be, but I was surprised by Maria’s accurate advice and her ability to help me straighten my thoughts and put things back into perspective. She is kind and creates an open and nonjudgmental environment. Moving forwards I have found I am less easily overwhelmed and have a better understanding of myself. I could not recommend Maria more.”
Julie - Lawyer