Maria "Ri" Punt, BACP

Maria "Ri" Punt offers support for people dealing with relationship strain, trauma, family conflict and the stress of caring for others. She also helps those coping with life changes, issues around sexuality, and the impact of prejudice or discrimination. Maria works in a calm, relaxed way so people can talk through what feels hard to manage.

Maria uses an integrative approach which draws on a range of therapeutic techniques to suit each person. She aims to build trust and a sense of safety in the room. This gives space to explore painful experiences, feelings of guilt or shame, and the effects of domestic violence or past trauma.

Sessions often focus on helping people reconnect with their inner strength and practical resources. Maria listens without judgement and supports people to gain clearer awareness of choices and next steps. She also works with issues linked to chronic illness, HIV/AIDS, first responder and veteran stresses, and non-monogamous relationships.

With 19 years of experience, Maria holds BACP registration, which stands for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She practices in the United Kingdom and carries this professional credential as part of her background.

People meet Maria to talk through sexuality, kink and alternative sex culture matters, caregiver stress, and long-term health challenges. She encourages collaboration so people can find manageable ways forward and reduce day-to-day overwhelm.

Sessions are conducted in English. If you want to explore working together, follow the service's Start Therapy steps to complete a short matching questionnaire and book a session.

How therapeutic approaches fit into online care

Maria works integratively, which means she combines evidence-based therapeutic techniques to match each person's needs. One commonly used approach focuses on talking through past events and their emotional impact to help reduce ongoing distress and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Another approach emphasises practical coping strategies and pacing for people living with chronic pain, illness or caregiver stress so daily life feels more manageable.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Maria will work with the person to agree what to try first, check how it is going, and change direction if needed. The aim is to match techniques to goals and practical circumstances rather than applying a fixed method.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit work on mental health into a busy life by reducing travel, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, and offering ways to meet from different locations. Many people find this flexibility helps maintain regular work on difficult issues while managing day-to-day responsibilities.