Maria Pencheva, BACP
Therapist for anxiety, relationships, and growth
- Anxiety and stress support
- Relationship and trauma work
- English and Bulgarian therapy
About Maria Pencheva
Maria Pencheva is a United Kingdom-based therapist with 4 years of professional experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression. She combines a person-centred style with strengths-focused work drawn from positive psychology to help clients identify their resources, regulate emotions, and pursue a more meaningful life. Maria approaches each person with warmth, openness, and genuine curiosity, listening carefully and meeting clients where they are so they can explore challenges at a comfortable pace.
She believes that each person is the expert of their own story and that courage is required to take the first steps toward change. In sessions she aims to create a respectful, non-judgmental space where feelings can be named and choices considered. Her clinical interests also include body image, communication problems, control issues, divorce and separation, forgiveness, guilt and shame, loneliness, life purpose, panic, post-traumatic stress, self-love, and social anxiety.
Maria holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which reflects her professional training and commitment to recognised standards of practice. Outside of therapy she has worked as an interpreter, advocate, and business manager, experiences that inform her ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds. Her goal is to empower clients to feel heard, capable, and ready to build a future that feels authentic to them.
She believes that each person is the expert of their own story and that courage is required to take the first steps toward change. In sessions she aims to create a respectful, non-judgmental space where feelings can be named and choices considered. Her clinical interests also include body image, communication problems, control issues, divorce and separation, forgiveness, guilt and shame, loneliness, life purpose, panic, post-traumatic stress, self-love, and social anxiety.
Maria holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which reflects her professional training and commitment to recognised standards of practice. Outside of therapy she has worked as an interpreter, advocate, and business manager, experiences that inform her ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds. Her goal is to empower clients to feel heard, capable, and ready to build a future that feels authentic to them.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Additional Focus Areas
Body imageCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposePanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobia
Therapeutic Approach
Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Imago Relationship Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Maria Pencheva have?
Maria Pencheva has 4 years of professional experience.
Is Maria Pencheva a registered therapist?
Yes. She holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
In which languages does Maria Pencheva provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English and Bulgarian.
Where is Maria Pencheva located?
She is based in the United Kingdom.
How can I work with Maria Pencheva as my therapist?
You can work with Maria Pencheva through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Maria Pencheva work with international clients?
Yes, Maria Pencheva works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Maria Pencheva cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Attachment and Client-Centered Care Online
Maria uses Attachment-Based Therapy to help clients understand how early relationships shape current patterns of connection and emotional response. This approach can be helpful for people facing relationship difficulties, trust issues, or patterns of avoidance and anxiety. She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which focuses on creating an empathic, accepting environment where clients can explore feelings and values at their own pace - this is useful for building self-esteem, clarifying life purpose, and processing difficult emotions. In addition, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical strategies for managing symptoms such as panic, social anxiety, and depression.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Maria works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences, adapting her style as therapy evolves so the work feels relevant and effective.
Online therapy with Maria offers flexibility - sessions can take place by video, over the phone, via live chat, or through text-based messaging - which makes it easier to fit support into busy schedules or across time zones. Registered professionals can provide consistent, ongoing care remotely, helping clients access therapy from home or while travelling and maintain progress with a format that suits their life.