Maria Joy, UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist

Maria Joy

Exeter EX1 English
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Maria Joy, UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist

Maria Joy

Exeter EX1 English
Shortlist Share

My Approach

My approach has been shaped by my professional and personal journeys. Through growing up in a diverse area of East London, I have experienced and observed community struggles and problems which have influenced my outlook on life, and nurtured an interest in trauma, attachment, and resilience and the legacy of family relationships. I see my role as a facilitator and therapist providing a scaffold to explore options and support a journey of self-discovery and growth. I believe a life is a dynamic collection of experiences and emotions, and my role will involve helping to make sense of these, encouraging reflection on why you do the things you do and why you are the way you are.

About Me

I am a qualified systemic psychotherapist and systemic supervisor.

I have worked within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and with young people and their families involved with the youth justice system and children’s social care. I support adolescents and parents to make positive life choices; develop their skills in emotional regulation and communication and learn ways to manager feelings of anger and aggression.
I also specialise in working with people who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms and relationship struggles.

I have a private practice offering therapy services and professional development.

I am a volunteer with a charity which supports survivors of child sexual abuse, rape and sexual violence, and have experience working with people who are living with trauma.

I work with

  • Children and young people
  • Companies
  • Families
  • Groups
  • Individuals
  • Private healthcare referrals

Special Interests

Like all UKCP registered psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors I can work with a wide range of issues, but here are some areas in which I have a special interest or additional experience.

Managing strong emotions is not something we automatically learn and yet it is vital to have the tools to address. This is particularly important where life has presented challenges. I often follow the acronym POWER which stands for Pause, Observe, Withdraw, Examine and Return. Many people will practice the POW but unless able to Examine and have the skills to Return and state ones views, it is likely that resentments and anger will accumulate. I guide my clients in practising the skills of reflection and assertiveness.
Anxiety is a very common condition which unless acknowledged can become debilitating and limit a range of life experiences. It is important to understand the way anxiety works in physical and mental contexts, to trace its origins and find strategies that will work for each individual.
I am a qualified Approved Mental Health Professional and have many years working with children, young adults and mature adults to help minimise the impact of living with a mental illness. I also support the family members of people who struggle with severe and enduring mental illness.
I have many years working with parents who struggle to provide a safe and nurturing relationship for their children. Many times parents struggle because their own experience of being parented was negative. I also work with parents who are divorced or separated who at times find it hard to prioritise their children's needs whilst containing their own emotions alongside having to negotiate new boundaries.
I am aware of the lasting and sometimes defibrillating impact of abuse and the injustice that can be inflicted as another form of abuse and the trauma that can follow. I have work with survivors of childhood sexual abuse and rape and understand the importance of providing a safe environment to enable openness, acceptance and healing.

Types of Therapies Offered

  • Family and Systemic Psychotherapist
  • Family Therapist
  • Systemic Family and Couple Psychotherapist
  • Systemic Psychotherapist

What I can help with

  • Adoption
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Divorce
  • Domestic Violence
  • Employment Difficulties
  • Family
  • Mental Health Issues
  • Race Issues
  • Relationships
  • Separation
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Stress
  • Suicide
  • Supervision
  • Trauma
  • Workplace Counselling

Types of sessions

  • Face to Face - Long Term
  • Face to Face - Short Term
  • Home Visits
  • Online Therapy
  • Telephone Therapy

Exeter Office


Exeter EX1 1TL
UK

  Wheelchair accessible View Map

UKCP College

  • College of Family Couple and Systemic Psychotherapy (CFCSP)

Working with Children

For more information about therapy for children and young people, visit our info page.
Maria Joy

Maria Joy

Exeter EX1

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