Maristela was recommended to me by my son’s psychiatrist as someone who could potentially help him to understand and work through his difficulties which are mainly anxiety and social interaction, both of which had escalated due to lockdown. My son, who is 16 and only recently diagnosed as Autistic with ADHD, does not like to talk about himself, nor is he able to clearly identify or articulate his feelings, and so was not open to traditional CBT or talking therapies. He did recognise however that he was very much in need of some support to help him navigate out of lockdown and back into the academic world and so was willing to meet with Maristela. While it is still very early days and my son is still coming round to the idea of regular therapy, Maristela was very quickly able to spot my son’s acute discomfort and through working with myself, and with my son’s permission, was able to help us to identify his immediate issues and work out the blockers that were stopping him address it. She is a compassionate and supportive lady who absolutely understands the need to let the patient set the pace. She has provided so much insight and supporting information on my son’s difficulties and this has enabled us, as a family, to focus on what matters to him and to take a breath while he makes it happen. It is going to be a long path for my boy, and he may not engage fully, but I am completely confident that Maristela will be there whenever he needs and asks for support. She is an amazing lady who is so in tune with the needs of my son, even with limited engagement and I am so very grateful to have been sent her way.
Children, Young People and Adult Counselling in Edinburgh. Integrated Counsellor specialising in Person-Centred Therapies.