Business Details
Professional Counselling & Therapy Services in Bournemouth
Established in 2025, Choosing Change is a private practice dedicated to empowering individuals through transformative talking therapies. Our founder Maria Scholes brings extensive experience from NHS primary care, community counselling settings, and residential rehabilitation environments, specialising in cognitive behavioural therapy, addiction treatment, and life coaching. We adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions while maintaining enhanced DBS clearance and comprehensive professional insurance. Our practice combines evidence-based methodologies with compassionate support to address anxiety, depression, OCD, and various addictions. We prioritise client confidentiality and autonomy while fostering environments for personal growth and self-acceptance.Through continuous professional development and regular supervision, we ensure our therapeutic approaches remain at the forefront of psychological practice. Our services cater to diverse needs including stress management, bereavement support, and positive ageing strategies. We offer flexible appointment times across multiple days to accommodate different schedules. Our commitment to excellence extends to delivering psychosocial workshops and personal development coaching alongside individual therapy sessions. With a foundation built on trust, empathy, and professional integrity, we strive to make meaningful contributions to our clients' mental wellbeing journeys.
Services
Counselling
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Life Coaching
Addiction Therapy
Counselling Supervision
Details
- Year established: 2025
Highlights and features
- We have 15+ years' experience in NHS and community mental health settings
- Our enhanced DBS clearance ensures client safety and professional integrity
- We specialise in evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression and addictions
- Our services combine BACP-registered therapy with continuous professional development
- Flexible evening appointments available Monday to Thursday
Associations and certifications
- BACP
- NCSCT
- DBS checked
Services
Counselling
Professional talking therapy addressing emotional difficulties and mental health challenges. Our BACP-registered counsellors help clients explore personal issues in a safe, confidential environment. We work with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and life transitions using evidence-based approaches tailored to individual needs.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders and negative thought patterns. We help clients identify and modify unhelpful thinking through structured sessions. Our CBT approach addresses OCD, phobias, and stress management with practical coping strategies for lasting change.
Life Coaching
Personal development guidance focusing on goal achievement and positive change. We help clients overcome self-limiting beliefs through structured coaching frameworks. Our services include confidence building, career transitions, and creating sustainable lifestyle improvements aligned with individual aspirations.
Addiction Therapy
Specialised treatment for substance and behavioural addictions. We address gaming, internet, and gambling dependencies using integrated therapeutic approaches. Our services include relapse prevention strategies and recovery support tailored to individual addiction patterns and underlying psychological factors.
Counselling Supervision
Professional development for counsellors and coaches. We provide Level 6 accredited supervision focusing on ethical practice and clinical effectiveness. Our supervision framework supports practitioners' ongoing development through reflective practice and case discussion.
People
Maria Scholes
Founder & Lead Therapist
BACP-registered counsellor with 15+ years' experience in NHS and community mental health. Specialises in CBT, addiction therapy, and life coaching. Holds multiple postgraduate qualifications including CBT diploma and counselling supervision certification.
Questions
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
We primarily use cognitive behavioural therapy combined with person-centred counselling approaches, tailored to individual client needs.
Do you offer online therapy sessions?
Yes, we provide flexible therapy options including face-to-face and online sessions to accommodate different preferences.
What qualifications does the therapist hold?
Maria Scholes holds a BSc in Addictions Counselling, Diploma in CBT, and multiple postgraduate counselling qualifications with BACP registration.
How long are therapy sessions?
Standard sessions last 50 minutes, with initial consultations potentially extending to 60 minutes for comprehensive assessment.
What issues do you specialise in treating?
We specialise in anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, various addictions, and life transition challenges.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes, we maintain strict confidentiality within ethical and legal boundaries, with clear privacy policies in place.
