Luana Maki, BACP

Luana Maki is a non-binary counsellor who works in an integrative way, drawing on different therapeutic approaches to suit each person. Luana uses listening, curiosity and practical conversation to help people facing anxiety, stress and low mood. They also help with relationship and intimacy-related concerns, ADHD, grief, and parenting stress.

Luana has worked in counselling and psychotherapy for three years and holds BACP registration, which is listed as BACP. Their practice mixes approaches rather than relying on a single method. That means sessions can be shaped around what a person needs on that day rather than following a strict script.

Sessions typically focus on understanding what is happening now while also looking at patterns from the past. Luana blends client-centred listening with moments of mindfulness and wider psychodynamic reflection. Solution-focused ideas are used to set practical steps when people want clearer short-term goals.

People see Luana to talk through trauma and abuse, chronic illness or pain, body image and sexual culture topics such as BDSM and kink, polyamory and non-monogamous relationships, and caregiver stress. They also support people dealing with loneliness, life changes, and problems with communication or trust.

The approach is collaborative and paced to each person. Luana aims to help people feel seen and to find ways to move forward that fit their daily life. To begin, people follow the site process to match with a counsellor and arrange the first appointment.

How Luana's approaches translate to online therapy

Luana draws on client-centred work and mindfulness alongside psychodynamic ideas. Client-centred therapy focuses on listening closely and helping the person lead the pace and direction of sessions; it suits people who want a calm, reflective space to talk about stress or relationships. Mindfulness therapy introduces simple attention and breathing practices to manage anxiety, low mood and chronic pain by helping people notice thoughts and sensations without rushing to change them. Psychodynamic work looks at patterns and past experiences that influence current feelings and behaviours, which can help with long-standing relationship issues, attachment concerns and trauma.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The counsellor will talk with the person about their needs, goals and preferences and then agree which methods to try. That way the plan can change as progress is made and as new priorities emerge, keeping the process collaborative.

If you are considering online sessions, please confirm the available session formats before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also be useful when someone prefers not to use video or needs a simpler way to join from elsewhere. Registered and accredited professionals often adapt their techniques to work well at a distance, and Luana tailors sessions to what helps each person most.