Inner Compass Therapy

Inner Compass Therapy I'm Maria and im a Qualified Integrative Counsellor based in the BH area of Dorset MBACP 409723.

My approach is warm, down to earth, and centred around genuine conversation

As a counsellor, I often talk about the importance of finding spaces that help us feel safe, calm, and emotionally recha...
23/05/2026

As a counsellor, I often talk about the importance of finding spaces that help us feel safe, calm, and emotionally recharged.
For me, it’s the beach early in the morning , the stillness, the rhythm of the sea, and the chance to simply be present.

What’s your go-to place for peace and clarity?

After my final client session this morning, I’m heading into a slightly reduced working week next week to rest, recharge...
22/05/2026

After my final client session this morning, I’m heading into a slightly reduced working week next week to rest, recharge, and enjoy some of the sunshine that’s on its way ☀️

I’ll still be available for early morning and morning counselling appointments, whether you’re looking for a one-off session or are thinking about beginning your counselling journey.

You’re very welcome to get in touch if it feels like the right time for you.

Mental Health Awareness Week 💚A reminder that counsellors are human too. We also have tough days and need to protect our...
11/05/2026

Mental Health Awareness Week 💚

A reminder that counsellors are human too. We also have tough days and need to protect our own mental health as well.

For me, that can look like beach walks, alone time to check in with myself, or booking out free time to do absolutely nothing.

Here’s me looking a bit shattered and recognising that tonight I probably just need an early night and the next episode of MAFS to completely switch off 😅

Sometimes self-care is just giving yourself permission to rest.

This weekend I’m volunteering at a comedy festival in North Wales, and it’s got me thinking about just how powerful laug...
02/05/2026

This weekend I’m volunteering at a comedy festival in North Wales, and it’s got me thinking about just how powerful laughter really is.

We often think of counselling as serious (and sometimes it is), but in the heavy there’s also space for lightness, humour, and even laughter in healing. A good laugh can release tension, shift perspective, and remind us we’re human.

If you get the chance this weekend, do something that makes you smile, even if it’s just a small moment.

What’s something that’s made you laugh recently?

I felt really moved hearing about the passing of Dr Edith Eger yesterday at the age of 98. She was a renowned psychologi...
29/04/2026

I felt really moved hearing about the passing of Dr Edith Eger yesterday at the age of 98. She was a renowned psychologist and survivor of the Holocaust.

I first read her book 'The Choice' at a time when I needed it more than I realised and I've been following her work ever since .

What struck me most was her compassion. Not just for others, but the way she spoke about learning to be compassionate towards ourselves, even after the hardest experiences. That idea has quietly shaped the way I sit with clients .

Her life was extraordinary, but the message she shared felt so human, that we are not defined by what happens to us, and that healing, in whatever form it takes, is possible.

Rest in peace, Dr Eger 🤍

Ever wondered how counsellors stay effective, ethical, and up-to-date?It’s not just experience ,  it’s something called ...
22/04/2026

Ever wondered how counsellors stay effective, ethical, and up-to-date?

It’s not just experience , it’s something called Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

As a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I'm required to regularly invest time in learning. This can include training courses, workshops, reading, supervision, and reflecting on my work.

It isn't just about “ticking boxes” , it’s about making sure we’re offering the best possible support to the people who trust us with their stories.

The world changes, research evolves, and so do people’s needs. CPD helps counsellors stay informed, self-aware, and responsive.

If you have been thinking of counselling , reach out to see how I can help you

If you are a carer in the Dorset area , please find below two advise clinics the Leonardo carer support charity are offe...
15/04/2026

If you are a carer in the Dorset area , please find below two advise clinics the Leonardo carer support charity are offering for free

Hello and a warm welcome to all my new followers 🤍I’m a qualified integrative counsellor, and I wanted to share a little...
20/03/2026

Hello and a warm welcome to all my new followers 🤍

I’m a qualified integrative counsellor, and I wanted to share a little about what it’s like to work with me.

At the heart of my work is a simple idea. Therapy should feel like a genuine human-to-human connection. When you sit with me, you won’t meet a polished professional persona , you’ll meet a real person. I bring my full, authentic self into the room, alongside my training and experience.

I also know what it’s like to sit in the other chair as a client , trying to make sense of things, trying to piece yourself back together, and sometimes not even knowing who you are beneath the surface. That experience shapes how I work.

All of that means that there's often space for laughter, connection, and moments of lightness in the heavy. Therapy can be serious and deep, yes, but it can also be warm, human, and real.

I work with a range of challenges including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, low self-esteem, relationship and family difficulties, and LGBTQIA+ experiences, among many others. Clients often tell me they value the balance I offer , warmth and compassion alongside thoughtful reflection and, when helpful, gentle challenge.

Together, we might explore how past experiences are still showing up in the present, untangle patterns that no longer serve you, and find practical ways to help you feel more steady and self-assured in your everyday life.

If you’re thinking about counselling, I offer a free introductory call so you can get a sense of me and how I work.

Mother’s Day can be a time of love, appreciation, and connection.For others, it can bring feelings of grief, loss, or co...
15/03/2026

Mother’s Day can be a time of love, appreciation, and connection.
For others, it can bring feelings of grief, loss, or complicated memories.

Today we acknowledge the many different experiences connected to motherhood. However this day feels for you, your experience is valid.

Be gentle with yourself today. 💚
— Inner Compass Therapy

Spring is just around the corner, and there’s something about a sunny day at the beach that reminds us brighter, lighter...
25/02/2026

Spring is just around the corner, and there’s something about a sunny day at the beach that reminds us brighter, lighter moments are on their way after a long dark cold winter. ☀️🌊

If the past season has felt heavy and you’ve been thinking about counselling, maybe this is your sign to reach out.

I offer face to face sessions in Bournemouth or online and telephone .

Address

Bournemouth
BH2

Opening Hours

Tuesday 4pm - 7pm
Wednesday 4pm - 7pm
Thursday 4pm - 7pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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