It's Complicated

María Gracia Abad

Psychologist & EMDR Therapist

Verified by It's Complicated
Available for new clients
Our sessions are a safe, non-judgmental space to freely express.
Together, let's find solutions to the problems you're facing in order to restore your well-being.

I specialise in:

At a glance
Greystones, IrelandAvailable online only
Experienced on It's Complicated1060+ sessions on It's Complicated
Note from María Gracia1st Session requires a 48-hour advance booking ⏰ Feel free to ask any questions about therapy 💬❔ Looking forward to meeting you soon! 🤗
Illustration of a smiling sun peeking over a cloud, symbolizing warmth and positivity for connecting with the therapist.
Usually responds within 2 hours

About me

Hello, I’m María Gracia Abad, a licensed psychologist from Ecuador, now based in Ireland. I provide online therapy in both English and Spanish.

I’m curious by nature and deeply interested in understanding people, how we think, feel, and respond to life’s challenges. In sessions, this curiosity shows up as careful listening, thoughtful questions, and a genuine interest in your patterns, your struggles, and your strengths. I approach therapy with care, focus, and a real human presence, bringing both attentiveness and energy to our work together.

I work with adults who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, or relationship challenges, especially when shame, self-blame, or fear of expressing themselves gets in the way of living fully. Many of the people I work with have learned to cope by adapting to others, keeping things in, or minimizing their own needs. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you’re not broken.

I’ve also experienced major life transitions myself, including relocating to a new country. That has given me a personal understanding of how disorienting change can feel, how it can shake confidence, identity, and belonging. This experience informs my perspective and empathy for anyone navigating transitions.

Outside of therapy, I find grounding and renewal in nature. Even a simple walk to a green space lifts my energy and helps me feel centered when life feels overwhelming. I bring that same attentiveness, curiosity, and calm into sessions.

In therapy, I combine curiosity with practical support. I help you notice patterns, understand why they developed, and explore new ways of responding. Some sessions are reflective and exploratory, others practical, depending on what you need.

I believe that what was learned to survive can also be unlearned, and that insight paired with practical steps creates lasting change. My goal is to help you feel heard, understood, and more confident in navigating your own path forward.

You'll find me sharing insightful mental health content in Spanish on:
Instagram: @magabad.psicologia
Facebook: @magabad.psicologia

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Te invito a visitar este link donde encontrarás información en español acerca de mi y visitar mis redes sociales donde comparto contenido psicoeducativo en español que puede aportar en tu vida diaria
👉 campsite.bio/magabad.psicologia
Estaré gustosa de poder ayudarte a alcanzar tu bienestar 🤗

I speak:

EnglishSpanish

Connect with me:

Location:

Greystones, Ireland

Media Gallery

Approach

Treatment Approaches
CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapyRecommended for those looking for practical support and accountability to change unhelpful thinking and behaviors.
EMDRRecommended for those dealing with trauma who want to process painful memories in a structured way to reduce their emotional impact.
Person-centered approachRecommended for those looking for a supportive, non-judgmental space where they can lead the conversation and explore their feelings at their own pace.
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.

Some sessions are reflective, exploring emotions and experiences. Others are practical, focusing on strategies or small experiments to navigate everyday challenges. The mix 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. Therapy is about understanding your patterns, easing self-blame, and experimenting with new ways of responding, so you can feel relief, clarity, and a sense of hope.

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, develop tools to navigate emotions and relationships, and feel more connected to yourself and the world around you.

In our first sessions, we’ll talk about what brings you here and identify what you’d like to get out of therapy. Together, we’ll create a plan that feels right for you, whether that means processing difficult past experiences, managing present challenges, or exploring new ways of responding to life.

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 case, helping you move at a pace that feels safe and meaningful.

If a client’s needs fall outside my current expertise, I may suggest a referral to ensure therapy is safe and effective. My priority is always supporting clients in the way that best meets their needs.

You also have the option to reach out between sessions via the “It’s Complicated” chat for reflections or questions, so you don’t have to wait until our next session to process something important.

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.

I understand that reaching out for therapy can feel scary or uncertain, 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’d be honored to support you.

Experience

6 years in practice1060+ sessions on It's Complicated
2020-Today Psychologist, Online Private Practice

Jun 2023-Today Psychologis, 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)

Education

2025- 2026 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

Services

Individual Session

€100 50 min Online

50-minute Online Psychological Therapy Session

€100 50 min Online

90-minute Online Psychological Therapy Session

€180 1 hr 30 min Online

Insurances

Private Pay
At a glance
Greystones, IrelandAvailable online only
Experienced on It's Complicated1060+ sessions on It's Complicated
Note from María Gracia1st Session requires a 48-hour advance booking ⏰ Feel free to ask any questions about therapy 💬❔ Looking forward to meeting you soon! 🤗
Illustration of a smiling sun peeking over a cloud, symbolizing warmth and positivity for connecting with the therapist.
Usually responds within 2 hours
Next available: May 25