María Gracia Abad

Therapy with me is collaborative, curious, and tailored to you. I pay close attention to your thoughts, emotions, and patterns, and I ask questions that help you notice, reflect, and gain insight. My style is thoughtful and analytical, I listen carefully, but I’m never passive. I speak or intervene when it’s helpful, to guide, clarify, or gently challenge in ways that support your growth.

People I work with often feel overwhelmed, stuck, or emotionally drained, and may be experiencing persistent anxiety or worry, low mood, burnout, the impact of difficult or overwhelming past experiences, relationship difficulties, or life transitions that affect their sense of direction and self-understanding.
A common thread is a tendency to rely on thinking, analysing, or self-reliance to manage emotional experiences. While these are often strengths, they can become exhausting when emotions feel harder to access or when people find themselves caught in cycles of self-criticism, self-blame, or overthinking. Many also struggle to ask for help or extend themselves the same compassion they offer others.
If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and you're not broken.

In therapy, we explore these patterns with curiosity rather than judgement, focusing on how they developed and what keeps them in place. Over time, therapy can offer a different way of relating to your inner world, one that allows more space for emotional awareness, self-understanding, and flexibility in how you respond to yourself and others.

Some sessions are reflective, exploring emotions and experiences. Others are practical, focusing on strategies or small experiments to navigate everyday challenges. The balance depends on what you need in the moment.

I draw on evidence-based approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR, and person-centered therapy, tailored to your personal needs.

Clients often tell me they feel heard, clearer, more grounded, and empowered after our work together. My aim is to help you make sense of your experiences, reduce self-blame, develop tools to navigate emotions and relationships, and feel more connected to yourself and the world around you.

Therapy can start wherever you are. Some people come knowing exactly what they want to work on, while others may need time to build trust and feel comfortable engaging in the process. I am here to support you in either way, helping you move at a pace that feels safe and meaningful.

If your needs fall outside my current expertise, I'll suggest appropriate referrals. My priority is always getting you the right support.

Session Details:
- Duration and Fees: 50-minute sessions are €100; 90-minute sessions are €180 (subject to availability).
- Scheduling and Frequency: Flexibility is key; while weekly sessions are typical, I can adjust to suit your needs.
- Availability: Regular session hours are displayed on my calendar.
- Appointment Confirmation: New clients must complete an Intake Form and Informed Consent before therapy begins.
- Payment: Payment via Stripe must be completed 48 hours in advance to ensure a seamless start.

15-minute Intro Call: I offer a limited number of 15-minute introductory calls each week for those considering starting therapy together. This isn’t a therapy session (we won’t go into personal or therapeutic content during this call), but a chance to get a sense of how I work and ask any practical questions.
As spaces are limited, I ask that you book only if you’re genuinely open to beginning therapy and able to attend.

I understand that reaching out for therapy can feel uncertain or daunting, but you’ve already taken the first step by being here.
If you're ready to explore what healing and self-understanding can look like, I would be glad to support you.

2020-Today Psychologist, Online Private Practice

Nov 2025-Today Psychologist and EMDR Therapist, Trauma Matters

Jun 2023-Today Psychologist, Kara Connect

Jul 2022-Today Therapist, Siffi

Jul 2021-Today EAP Counsellor, It's Complicated

Aug 2022-Feb 2026 Therapist, Bloom (formerly Mindsurance)

Mar 2025-Oct 2025 Mental Health Clinician, Teladoc Health International

May 2023-Feb 2025 Psychologist, Emplomind

May 2023-Sep 2024 Psychologist, SpringHealth

Jan 2023-Sep 2024 Psychologist, Frankie x Unmind

May 2023-Aug 2023 Psychologist, O7 Therapy

May 2022-Aug 2023 Therapist, Plumm

July 2021-October 2022 Psychologist, Modern Health.

Mar 2021-Jun 2021 Volunteer Psychologist at Calm-Chat Bienestar Online (Ecuador, NPO)

Sep 2020-Jun 2021 Volunteer Psychologist at Fundación Fisdace (Ecuador, NPO)

July 2020-Jun 2021 Volunteer at Aquí Estoy-Global Empathy Network (Argentina, NPO)

Oct 2018-Jan 2019 Intern, Santa Ana High School (Ecuador)

May 2018-Jul 2018 Intern, Ecuadorian Red Cross

Oct 2017-Jan 2018 Intern, Santa Ana High School (Ecuador)

2025 Master's Degree in Criminology: Delinquency and Victimology at Universidad Internacional de Valencia VIU

2025 EMDR Advanced Training - Complex Trauma Protocol at Cipse Argentina

2023 - 2024 EMDR Basic Training at CIPSE Argentina

2021-2024 Master's degree program in Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology at Universidad ISEP

2021-2024 Master's degree program in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy at Universidad ISEP

2014-2020 Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja UTPL in Ecuador


CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND CERTIFICATES:
CAMHS Professional Development & Twilight Training: Emotional Regulation Skills (DBT)
by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom

Schizophrenia
by Wesleyan University, United States of America

Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers
by Yale University, United States of America

Seminario Internacional "Psicología y Psicoterapia"
by SOPSAI, Ecuador

Seminario Psicodiagnóstico
by Instituto de Neurociencias - Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil, Ecuador

An Update on Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders in Adults: Scientific Foundations and Therapeutic Models
by HCA Dominion Hospital, United States of America

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Training
by BestSelf Behavioral Health, Inc., United States of America

Simpósio de saúde mental - TCC Online
by ALAPCCO - Federación Latinoamericana de Psicoterapias Cognitivas y Conductuales, Brasil