PhD Psych; MA Psych; Adv Dip Psych; BA (Hons); Certificate counselling
Maria Luca is a relational psychotherapist and founder of Dr Maria Luca & Associates. Her career in the field spans 30 years and includes being an academic, Head of School of Psychotherapy & Psychology, Senior Research Fellow, Leader of the PhD Programme & Head of a research centre at Regent’s University London. She founded the Journal of Psychological Therapies, published by Phoenix. She worked in the NHS for twelve years and with Dr Jessie Emillion, founded a psychological service in Newham University Hospital. In 2018 she became a member of a MBACP project, partnered with Regent’s University to develop a Counselling Skills Competence Framework, published by MBACP and a research paper.
My model of working is first and foremost relational. It involves collaborative respect, ethical mindedness and professional responsibility. I try not to lose sight of the uniqueness and individuality of my clients, so that they can be seen and understood for who they truly are. Placing humans in a box with a label may be convenient and quick for therapeutic work; however, it is also soul destroying for the person sitting opposite me. How can I possibly know the very heart of a client’s pain without turning my soul and instincts into a sponge, feeling their pain while trying to understand it. Devising fluid psychological formulations & assessments, reviewing and moving along into deeper understanding is the sine qua non of my work. There is no evidence of superior psychotherapeutic approaches. Who the therapist is and who sits in the opposite chair create the intersubjective element that connects us. The therapeutic duo is responsible in creating an authentic space. Ultimately my approach involves facilitating clients on a journey of growth, awareness & working through trauma to empower them in making informed life choices. My only certainty in life is my death. In the meantime, I follow my heart.
Dr. Luca’s professional affiliations underscore her commitment to excellence in the field of psychotherapy:
Accredited Psychotherapist, and (add): Accredited Supervisor, UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
Maria Luca is an esteemed psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and academic with over 29 years of experience in both the National Health Service (NHS) and private practice.
Luca M. (2023). Integrative Psychotherapy with Dr Maria Luca’. Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Finding Psychotherapy. 24 May 2023.
Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1gZecoIOgB55vtgIEl2GCl?si=uTAYEliiT42ydyDJ7pqZmw
Luca, M. (25/03/2016). Sexual Bullying Among Young People. Sky News Live.
https://www.confer.uk.com/biogs/dr-maria-luca.html
I have attended thousands of hours of CPD over the years in all areas of practice, including workshops on BPD, CBT anxiety, depression, relationship conflict and dynamics, eating disorders, substance abuse, working with different sexualities, couple work, working with sexual dysfunction, addictions.
Google Scholar Link:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=GKZL_1AAAAAJ&hl=en
Learn more about Dr. Maria Luca and Associates via the website:
Addictions, Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), panic attacks, trauma, Personal Growth, Personal Relationships, Personality Difficulties, Personality Disorders (PD), Phobias, Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), Post Natal Depression (PND), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Pregnancy, Psychosexual Issues, Racial Abuse, Rape, Redundancy, Same Sex Relationships, Self-Development, Self-Harm, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Behaviour, Sexuality, Sleep Problems, Social Phobia, Stage Fright, Stress, Suicidal Thoughts, Transgender Issues, Trauma, Trichotillomania.
We’d be happy to answer your questions about how therapy services work.
