Maria BellisCounselling and Psychotherapy

Welcome to my web site. I am Maria Bellis and I work with people who wish to improve how they feel when they experience sadness, anxiety, frustration or dissatisfaction about various issues in their lives. I am an accredited Counsellor and Gestalt Psychotherapist in South Bristol- experienced in working with a variety of issues.
I can work online or via telephone in the UK as well as Face to Face.

Psychotherapy/ Counselling can be a useful way to gain clarity and understanding to find ways to be more yourself, find healing and recovery from a past or present experience, or to get more satisfaction out of life. Many people resolve their own issues or may have tried counselling before. If you feel your efforts have not brought the results you want you may benefit from Counselling /Psychotherapy to work out what will help. Working with a Counsellor/ Psychotherapist is about creating a positive, supportive relationship with someone skilled and trained to help you find what you need to create the change you want.

You do not have to have a complex issue or ‘need therapy’ to work with me as psychotherapy can work on many levels. Some people enjoy short term work to clarify issues and develop changes that help them work out what they need to do ongoing after counselling. Many people I see have reflected and gained an understanding of their issues but choose to have deeper more focused work. They want to move on from feeling stuck or being in repeated patterns to develop a real sense of choice and enablement. You decide what you need.

I am a Senior Accredited Registrant Counsellor (NCPS) and Gestalt Psychotherapist (UKCP) (see More About Me page). You can contact me, without obligation, if you would like to get an idea of how I can work with you to resolve your issues. See What to do next below..

Finding A Way

Life has a habit of sending us the unexpected or personally challenging leading to questions and uncertainty. I work in partnership with you on your journey to increase clarity, build resilience and improve choices.

I work with individuals on many levels with a variety of issues and complexity. I have been in private practice for several years. I also have over 30 years knowledge gained from listening to many life stories and experiences as an adult care social worker (More About Me).

• Low self-esteem and self-confidence
• Anxiety, low mood or depression
  
• Negative Thinking or Self-Doubt
• Bereavment or Loss
  
• Coping with difficulties in relationships
• Coping with Stress
  
• Dealing with abuse experiences
• Changing negative behaviours
  
• Trauma
• Work related issues
  
• Alcohol related issues
• Uncertainty about your life
  
• Issues arising from health matters
• Many other issues
  
  If you would like some basic information there are some free downloads on my information page.
  Mind also lists Bristol organisations offering specialist or low cost counselling.

   

What is Gestalt Psychotherapy

Gestalt Therapists believe that people are born with the resources and ability to lead satisfying and creative lives but that life experiences may interrupt this process. We also focus on our relationship with ourselves and with others- what hinders and what facilitates a better relationship. By increasing your awareness, resolving any 'unfinished business' and re-framing any negative or self-limited thinking you can respond to challenges by finding ways that work better for you.

I find change can be very rewarding though sometimes not easy. Sometimes we may have to look at ourselves more deeply or challenge ourselves about how we relate to the world. Whatever you need I provide support at your pace through this process.

What to do next?

Whether you have a short-term goal or long term issues, I welcome enquiries as I understand the importance of finding the right therapist for you. Reading Finding A Way blog will give you some idea about how I work.

The next step would be for us to set up an initial session to clarify what you want and give you a sense of how I work. You can then decide whether to set up ongoing sessions or have more time to reflect.

• You can e-mail me, text or call and leave a message.
• Please give me brief details about what you want from counselling or psychotherapy and ask any questions (Click here to E mail me.).
• It helps if you specify what time and day you are wanting. I can let you know if anything is available.
• All of my contact is confidential and I will try to get back to you within 24 hours.
• We can then set up an initial session.
• My sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays- daytime and evenings. As evenings are popular please indicate if this is what you need and I can clarify what is available.
• My sessions are £50 with a limited number at concessionary rate possible. The first introductory session is £30.
• You can choose to work online, face to face or a mix of the two. I practice face to face counselling and psychotherapy in south Bristol in Whitchurch, near Knowle, Hengrove, Stockwood and Brislington. There are several local buses 2, 376, 36 and I am near the main roads of Wells Rd (A37), Bath Rd (A4) and Airport Rd. There is plenty of free on street parking.
• I am a member of a local network of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (CAPPP) in Bristol and the wider area to which I can refer for specific needs (anonymously) if you want help with your search.
  
  
  

  "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
  Goethe.