Maria Baxendale Hume, BACP

Maria Baxendale Hume is a UK-based therapist with ten years of professional experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, motivation and career difficulties. She works with clients to build confidence and self-esteem while addressing the everyday issues that interfere with wellbeing and life goals. Maria creates an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be explored honestly and where clients are encouraged to take practical steps toward change.

She recognises that reaching out for support takes courage and sees her role as one of support and empowerment throughout that process. Maria holds BACP registration - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and uses that professional framework to guide her practice. Her approach focuses on collaboration, helping each person identify what they want to change and finding strategies that fit their life and values.

Clients work with Maria on a range of concerns from relationships and intimacy to career decisions, coping with life changes, grief, trauma and mental health challenges such as depression or bipolar disorder. She aims to help people move toward a more fulfilling and balanced life while respecting individual pace and preference.

Therapeutic approaches for online sessions

Maria draws on evidence-informed approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to support clients in online sessions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice and make space for difficult thoughts and feelings while clarifying personal values and taking committed action toward a meaningful life - it can be useful for anxiety, stress and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns and developing practical skills to manage symptoms and improve mood and functioning - it is commonly used for anxiety, depression and sleep difficulties.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey and Maria works collaboratively with clients to find the best fit based on their needs, goals and preferences. She discusses options, adapts methods as therapy progresses and supports clients in setting realistic, client-led goals.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, family and other commitments, and allow registered professionals to provide consistent, ongoing support to clients who may be distant or managing busy lives.