- Person-centred approach
- Cognitive behavioural tools
- Mindfulness practices
About Maria
Maria Wallgren is an ACA counsellor with seven years' experience practising in Australia. She works with stress, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, depression and life changes. Maria also focuses on communication problems, control issues, forgiveness, guilt and shame, and workplace concerns.
She uses a person-centred approach and draws on cognitive behavioural, mindfulness, narrative and solution-focused methods. In session she listens for each person's story and helps them notice patterns that keep them stuck. Conversations aim to be practical and grounded so clients can try small changes between meetings.
Maria has worked across corporate, higher education, psychiatric and not-for-profit settings in Australia and Europe. That background informs her interest in multicultural concerns and transnational counselling. She also pays attention to how culture and role influence feelings like guilt and shame.
Sessions are conversational and collaborative. Maria asks about what matters most, and then they try ways of thinking or acting that address that concern. She uses straightforward exercises from cognitive behavioural and mindfulness work when these suit the issue.
People who come for help with guilt or shame often want to make sense of their actions and find a way forward. Maria supports that kind of practical reflection and helps people test new ways of responding to themselves and others.
How her approaches translate to online work
Maria often uses client-centred listening alongside cognitive behavioural techniques. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on understanding a person's story and priorities, helping them speak about what matters without judgement. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and offers practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns.She also draws on mindfulness to help people notice moment-to-moment experience and narrative techniques to reframe difficult stories. Choosing the right mix of approaches is collaborative - the therapist and client review what helps, adjust tools, and set small, testable goals together.
The practical benefits of online sessions depend on the formats the service supports, so confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. During sessions Maria will guide simple cognitive and mindfulness exercises that can be practised between meetings, and together they will refine what methods work best for the client's particular experience of guilt or shame.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, depression and coping with life changes. Other focuses include guilt and shame, workplace issues and multicultural concerns.
How does she approach therapy?
She uses a person-centred foundation and brings in cognitive behavioural, mindfulness, narrative and solution-focused techniques as needed. Sessions are conversational and aim to try practical steps between meetings.
How much experience does she have?
She has seven years' experience working in corporate, higher education, psychiatric and not-for-profit settings in Australia and Europe.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is listed with the Australian Counselling Association as ACA and practises in Australia.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions arranged and what does it cost?
Session cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.