Maria Baxendale Hume, BACP

Maria Baxendale Hume is a counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship doubts and self-esteem worries. She works with clients who are struggling with career decisions, motivation, sleep problems or the fallout from loss and trauma. Her tone is practical and encouraging for those taking first steps towards change.

She creates an open space where people can talk about thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement. Sessions focus on what matters to the individual and on small, useful steps they can try between meetings. Maria aims to help people notice patterns and try different ways of responding to old problems.

Over a ten-year period she has supported people with a wide range of concerns. These include emotional issues such as depression, bipolar and anger, and life stressors like caregiving strain, chronic illness, adoption and foster care matters, and grief. She also works with those exploring intimacy-related issues, commitment and codependency themes.

Her work draws on approaches that help with thinking and behaviour, values and meaning, and facing difficult choices. Maria is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP, which is shown as BACP. She practices in the United Kingdom and conducts sessions in English.

People can expect a collaborative way of working that balances reflection with practical steps. She supports LGBT concerns and assists people dealing with attachment, autism-related issues and body image concerns. The focus is on helping individuals build useful skills and clearer direction in everyday life.

How Maria uses ACT, CBT and existential ideas online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and reconnect with what matters to them. It can be useful for anxiety, grief and motivation by clarifying values and small actions that align with them. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns; it often helps with worry, sleep and low mood. Existential Therapy focuses on meaning, choice and responsibility, and can help when life changes or bigger questions feel overwhelming.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and will suggest methods that fit those aims. Decisions about direction are made together and can shift as needs change.

Confirm the current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time and allow more flexible scheduling around work or caregiving. It can also allow shorter check-ins when a full session isn't needed, or reduce the need to be on camera if that helps someone engage. Registered or accredited professionals and therapists use a range of methods to make online work practical and useful for everyday concerns.