Maria Castano Therapy

Maria Castano TherapyMaria Castano TherapyMaria Castano Therapy
  • Home
  • About me & my approach
  • Services & fees
  • FAQ's
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Crisis information
  • Privacy Policy
  • More
    • Home
    • About me & my approach
    • Services & fees
    • FAQ's
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • Crisis information
    • Privacy Policy

Maria Castano Therapy

Maria Castano TherapyMaria Castano TherapyMaria Castano Therapy
  • Home
  • About me & my approach
  • Services & fees
  • FAQ's
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Crisis information
  • Privacy Policy

Frequently asked questions

Please complete the contact form if you cannot find an answer to your question. 


The initial consultation is an opportunity to briefly explore what is bringing you to counselling or therapeutic coaching, give you an idea of how I work and how we may work together and next steps. It is a good opportunity to see if we are a good fit.   


Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and further explore what’s bringing you here. We’ll talk about what you’d like support with, what you hope to gain from counselling or coaching, and how we might work together. 

There’s no pressure to share everything at once, I invite you to go at your own pace, in a way that feels safe for you. I’ll also explain how the process works, answer any questions you may have, and check in about practical things like confidentiality, session format, and scheduling. 

Most importantly, it’s a space for you to see how it feels and whether it’s the right fit for you. 


 Counselling, psychotherapy and Personal Consultancy sessions last 50 minutes and are held weekly at the same day and time.  

Therapeutic coaching sessions are flexible and tailored to your goals. At the start of our work together, we will agree on the session length and frequency that best helps you meet your needs.  


 If you're unable to attend a session, I kindly ask for at least three days' notice. Cancellations with less notice will incur a fee.   


Yes, your privacy is very important, and what you share in sessions is kept confidential. There are however rare situations where I may need to share information to keep you or others safe if there is serious risk of harm, or if required by law (such as a court order). In such cases, I will always aim to discuss this with you beforehand whenever possible. 


My goal is always to create a safe and trusting space where you feel supported and respected.  


Counselling and coaching can both be supportive and transformative, but they focus on different things. 


Counselling tends to explore emotional difficulties, patterns from the past, and how they may be affecting you in the present. It can help with things like anxiety, low mood, relationship challenges, grief, loss or self-esteem. Counselling creates space to process feelings and make sense of your experiences at a pace that feels right for you. 


Coaching is more future-focused and goal-oriented. It can help you gain clarity, build confidence, and take practical steps toward personal or professional goals. Coaching often explores mindset, values, and motivation to support change and growth. 


If you're unsure which would be most helpful, we can talk it through during an initial consultation. Sometimes the most effective support blends both approaches, something I offer through Personal Consultancy, which integrates counselling and coaching to meet your needs more fully. 


Finding the right therapist is a very personal process, and it’s okay to take your time with it. A good fit often comes down to how comfortable, heard, and understood you feel in the space. It's important to choose someone whose approach feels supportive and who you can imagine building a trusting relationship with. 


I offer a free initial consultation up to 20-minutes, via phone or secure video platform, where we can talk about what’s bringing you here, how I work, and what you’re hoping for from the process. It’s a chance to see how it feels to connect, with no pressure to continue if it doesn’t feel quite right. 


You're always in control of your decision to continue or stop. If you feel that you're ready to pause or bring our work to a close, you're very welcome to do so at any time. 


Where possible, I encourage us to talk about it together, whether it’s a planned ending or a shift in what you need. This can help us reflect on the work we've done and bring a thoughtful close to the process. It's important to note that your choice will always be respected. 


  • Get in touch via the contact form.
  • I will reply to arrange a time for a free initial consultation, up to 20 minutes, with no commitment, by phone or online. The aim of the call is to see how I might help.  
  • If we decide to move forward, our first full session will give us space to go deeper into your reasons for seeking support, clarify your goals, and begin shaping a therapeutic or coaching approach that feels right for you. The session will also cover practical things like confidentiality, session format and scheduling.  



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