“My daughter started having sessions with Maria around 10 weeks ago. In that time I’ve seen huge changes in my daughter, her confidence is beaming out of her and her outlook on things that used to get her down has completely changed. She talks more openly and honestly to me and I feel like I’ve got my daughter back. I came across Maria through a mutual friend, I didn’t know I was looking for someone for my daughter to speak to until I heard what Maria had to say!

We had a couple of rough years with personal family issues and I had lost my Dad too and it was having a really negative effect on my daughter, she was staying strong for me and not talking about how she felt due to not wanting to upset me and it was crucifying me knowing she was doing this, since speaking with Maria me and my daughter talk openly about all these things, she realises she can open up in a safe environment about how things affect her and that in itself has been worth it for me to witness as her Mum but for her the difference in her love for herself is amazing! She doesn’t let certain friendship issues get her down and she deals with them in such a wonderful way that I watch on in such admiration of the wonderful young woman she is becoming! I’m super proud of her and especially grateful to Maria for all her help.

If you’re thinking about it but aren’t sure then please just at least try and see what your teen thinks, Maria is not a counsellor but someone your teen can open up to if they struggle to with you! There is no shame in someone else being there for your teen as they do tend to keep quiet and suffer in silence so to protect us as their parents or because they may worry about our reaction. I can honestly say finding Maria was a wonderful gift for me and my daughter.”

— Louise, mum of M (aged 15)

“I have 13 years old daughter who is high functioning autistic. Recently, she became very oversensitive and emotional, and we started to lose our close relationship. Thanks to her sessions with Maria, my daughter understood better her emotions, she learnt that it's ok to feel what she feels (what raised her self-esteem) and started to talk to me again. We still struggle with loads of things but thanks to Maria we made first steps to find ourselves in this new teen-age reality. Maria is fantastic, she can build a beautiful, individual relation with teenagers. She is flexible and she follows her young interlocutor. And - probably the most important - she listens. I highly recommend her coaching.”

— Kat, mum of N (aged 13)

“My daughter needed help from someone who was new after a difficult year marked by some personal tragedy, changes in friendships and a need to discover her self-worth and self-confidence. Someone who could help her to work out how she ticked and what she needed to get her mojo back. There is no easy answer to those problems and no quick fix. However, Maria has done a brilliant job to help her rediscover who she is, what she wants and how to get there. I have recommended her to friends with children of the same age and think she can definitely help.”

— Ian, dad of H (aged 14)

““When times get tough I check in with Maria and together we plan the best way to support my daughter through the week.  I provide a download of her week’s trials and events and Maria’s perspective is often surprising and always refreshing.  As a result, my encouragement and suggestions for my daughter are fresh and interesting.  She and I have both benefited from Maria’s creative approaches and initiatives, along with her straightforward, sound advice.   Personally, I find my parent mentoring sessions with Maria a real tonic.  When my daughter is finding school difficult it can get pretty upsetting at home.  To be able to share and pick Maria’s brains is invaluable.  It’s also a great way to bridge the gap if your child doesn’t feel quite ready to be mentored directly.  Maria has a very special gift when it comes to engaging young people as well as being an enthusiastic and well-informed mentor to us parents.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to her if you have a young person who is struggling.  You won’t regret it!”

— Teri, mother of L (aged 12)

“We had been struggling to cope with our 12 year old’s mood swings and the 100Mph onset of puberty, but from just the single 30-minute ‘clarity call’ I had with Maria, I gained more ‘clarity’ and insight than weeks of endless Googling had done.

She has a calm and open listening style and is obviously very knowledgeable, especially with her background in teaching. At the end of the call I felt empowered to deal with what had previously seemed insurmountable.  

I wouldn’t hesitate to contact Maria if you need a guiding hand.”

-Scott, dad of F (aged 12)

“Thanks again, you really helped me to untangle all the worries so I could focus on what was really important.”

- Sarah-Jane mother of B (aged 17)