Maria Pencheva, BACP

Maria Pencheva is a UK-based BACP-credentialed therapist with four years of professional experience supporting people through a range of emotional and relational challenges. She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression, and also offers focused support for concerns such as body image, communication problems, control issues, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, isolation or loneliness, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, and social anxiety. She practises in both English and Bulgarian, and accepts international clients.

Maria approaches therapy from a strengths-based, person-centred perspective, believing that each person is the expert in their own story and already possesses resources that can aid healing and growth. Her work blends empathy, warmth, and curiosity so that clients can explore their feelings and experiences in a non-judgmental environment. She places value on helping people regulate emotions, build self-confidence, and discover a clearer sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Drawing on training in several evidence-informed approaches, Maria supports clients to process difficulties while also cultivating resilience and positive change. She aims to walk alongside clients as they take courageous steps toward a more fulfilling life, offering practical guidance and compassionate encouragement throughout the therapeutic journey.

Maria holds the BACP credential, representing membership in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Maria draws from several therapeutic methods to tailor support to each person's needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours and developing practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and panic. Client-Centred Therapy places the person's experience at the centre of the work; it involves empathic listening and collaborative reflection to help people build self-awareness, self-acceptance, and confidence. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relational experiences shape current emotional responses and relationship patterns, which can be particularly helpful for people dealing with trauma, trust issues, and relationship difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the process, and Maria works collaboratively with clients to determine what fits best for their goals, preferences, and circumstances. Together they review what is helping and adapt the plan as therapy progresses, so the approach evolves with the client's needs.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people juggling work, family, or distance. Video calls and phone sessions allow for real-time conversation, while live chat and text-based messaging provide shorter, more frequent check-ins or an alternative way to express thoughts. These options make it easier to access consistent therapeutic support without sacrificing convenience.