{"id":3229,"date":"2025-08-11T18:37:52","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T18:37:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mariagialama.com\/psychotherapy-counselling\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T02:17:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T02:17:31","slug":"psychotherapy-counselling","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mariagialama.com\/en\/psychotherapy-counselling\/","title":{"rendered":"Psychotherapy & Counselling"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Psychotherapy

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My therapeutic approach<\/div><\/header>
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231 511 32 90<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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26th October Street, 6<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Email<\/div>
maria.gialama@bath.edu<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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What is Psychotherapy?<\/span><\/span><\/h3><\/header>
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Psychotherapy <\/a>has been defined as “the informed and intentional application of clinical methods and interpersonal attitudes, based on established psychological principles, with the purpose of helping people modify their behaviours, thoughts, emotions, and\/or other personal characteristics in directions they consider desirable.”<\/p>\n

In essence, psychotherapy (also called talking therapy) is a conscious, collaborative, and evidence-based process that, through conversation, helps individuals understand themselves more deeply; their thoughts, emotions, and reactions. Through a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship, individuals have the opportunity to process experiences, recognize patterns that no longer serve them, and develop new ways of thinking and behaving that enhance their wellbeing (Ladmanov\u00e1 et al., 2025<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Psychotherapy isn’t a process that’s “done to” or “for” someone, but an active collaborative relationship. The client participates meaningfully, while the therapist offers understanding, support, and evidence-based interventions. The goal is empowerment, self-awareness, and creating lasting changes that have meaning for the person themselves. Based on contemporary psychological principles, psychotherapy primarily uses conversation and interaction to understand and treat dysfunctional emotional reactions, ways of thinking, and behavioural patterns (American Psychological Association, 2025<\/a>).<\/p>\n

It’s intended for adults and adolescents who wish to improve their mental health, address challenges, or cultivate a more meaningful relationship with themselves.<\/p>\n

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What is Counselling?<\/span><\/span><\/h3><\/header>
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Counselling is a safe, structured, and confidential collaboration between the therapist and the client, aimed at strengthening mental health, self-awareness, and processing difficulties. Its goal isn’t to give advice, ready solutions, or guidance, but to facilitate someone in deeply exploring what troubles them in their daily lives, better understanding themselves, and developing coping strategies that best suit their own needs and values.<\/p>\n

Throughout the process, the client participates actively: setting goals, processing thoughts and emotions, and learning to respond to challenges with greater balance, care, and awareness. Counselling can be particularly useful during periods of intense anxiety or emotional pressure, in relationship difficulties (family, friendship, professional), in moments of confusion or life direction changes, as well as when there are issues that are difficult to discuss with one’s immediate environment (friends, relatives, colleagues, or teachers).<\/p>\n

The process occurs with respect and dignity, structure, confidentiality, and discretion, leading to the creation of a stable framework of safety and trust. This allows clients to explore their inner worlds and receive support to make choices that reflect what they truly need. Clients remain active throughout the process and receive support to make decisions that suit them best.<\/p>\n

Often this is a short-term intervention, while in some cases therapy can extend to cover more complex difficulties.<\/p>\n

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My therapeutic approach<\/span><\/span><\/h3><\/header>
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There are many types of psychotherapy, the main ones being Psychodynamic psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT), Humanistic therapy, and Integrative psychotherapy, which combines elements from various approaches. The common goal of all forms of psychotherapy is improving someone’s mental health and quality of life.<\/p>\n

Integrative Psychotherapy<\/a> combines elements from different therapeutic schools, namely psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioural, Gestalt, systemic, body-centred approaches, and object relations theories, through a developmental and biopsychosocial framework. It doesn’t apply “one method for all” but adapts interventions to each person’s needs, personality, and life stage.<\/p>\n

Integrative psychotherapy<\/a> is a contemporary, person-centred, and personalized approach that views the person as a whole: thought, emotion, body, behaviour, and spirituality constitute interconnected aspects of the same experience. It recognizes that each person is unique and needs a therapeutic approach that responds to their own needs, pace, and life phase.<\/p>\n

Rather than limiting itself to a single therapeutic model, it draws elements from different approaches and combines them flexibly, in evidence-based ways. Thus, therapy adapts to each person’s particular challenges, sensitivities, and capabilities. Each life stage brings with it new needs, crises, challenges, and opportunities for learning and evolution, and therefore, the integrative approach acknowledged and honours this dynamic, creating a space where clients can develop with authenticity, coherence, and deeper connection with themselves.<\/p>\n

Its goal is the integration of different aspects of self, functionality, and wellbeing at intrapsychic, interpersonal, and social levels. It’s a therapy that cultivates wholeness through continuous personal development, knowledge, and authentic human connection, so clients acquire greater authenticity, flexibility, and ability to relate to the world with more presence and freedom.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Integrative Psychotherapy <\/a>is based on what research now calls “common therapeutic factors”: the therapeutic relationship, empathy, hope, sense of safety, and authentic connection. These factors have proven more decisive for change than any isolated technique. Thus, therapy becomes a collaborative process where the client participates actively, while the therapist adapts interventions based on scientific knowledge, clinical judgment, and the person’s needs, creating the necessary conditions in a space where change can happen safely, sustainably, and meaningfully (Zarbo et al., 2016<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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My Core Values<\/span><\/span><\/h3><\/header>
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I hold a psychologist’s professional license (686\/19\/1\/2009) and am a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS)<\/a>. My practice is based on evidence-based approaches and a solid ethical framework that ensures the care you receive is professionally sound, safe, and adapted to your needs.<\/p>\n

I’m committed to offering an environment of confidentiality, respect, and inclusivity, where you can speak freely, without judgment, and feel unconditional acceptance.<\/p>\n

My work is guided by the four fundamental principles of the BPS<\/a>:<\/p>\n