Maria Pareo | Therapist, Relational Coach and Founder of Psychoenergetic Work®
Hi, I am Maria, therapist, coach and founder of Psychoenergetic Work®, a unique therapeutic modality that offers a comprehensive and integrative approach to personal healing and transformation. My work supports people holistically, helping them explore the emotional, psychological and energetic dimensions of their lives while initiating profound and lasting change.
Investing in self-exploration and well-being has been one of the most meaningful choices I have ever made. For this reason, my work is not only about therapy but also about education. I believe it is essential for people to have safe and dedicated spaces where they can explore their inner world openly and develop deeper awareness of themselves.
Early Curiosity About Human Nature
My professional journey began in Rome when I was twenty-five and continues to evolve today. However, my interest in human behaviour, emotional life and spirituality started much earlier. Since childhood I have been fascinated by the way people think, feel and interact with the world around them. I was naturally curious about the connections between emotional experiences, personal history and the deeper dimensions of human existence.
Growing up, I spent a great deal of time observing the world and the people around me. I quickly realised that my perception of things was different and because of this, I often felt misunderstood, ignored or unable to fully express my emotional experience. At times I felt lonely, inadequate and unsure how to regulate my emotions or communicate my inner world. In many ways, these early experiences shaped my desire to understand people more deeply and eventually helped guide my professional path.
A Turning Point in My Life Path
I often say that we give others what we most needed ourselves.
I also believe that certain encounters in life are not accidental but represent meaningful moments of alignment. At the age of twenty-five, I met someone who helped me reconnect with my direction in life and encouraged me to follow a path of deeper self-exploration. This encounter led me to enrol at the Holistic Academy, where I met my first spiritual teacher, Bernard Rouch.
During this time I studied and practised Egyptian Essene healing therapies for over three years. These teachings introduced me to the energetic dimension of healing and helped shape my understanding of the relationship between emotional, physical and spiritual well-being.
Expanding My Training in Holistic Therapy
After returning to the United Kingdom, I continued developing my professional path by attending the Holistic Healing College. There I trained to become a Holistic Counsellor and Life Coach, deepening my understanding of emotional processes, relational dynamics and personal development. During this period I also began studying Reiki healing, completing levels 1 and 2 in London.
These experiences expanded my perspective on healing and reinforced my desire to work with people in a way that honours the complexity of the human experience, emotionally, psychologically and energetically.
Beginning My Professional Practice
In 2015 I began facilitating my own creative workshops and therapeutic spaces, while also starting to see private clients.
At the same time, I continued studying and developing my professional skills. My dedication to learning eventually led me to qualify as a trained tutor, allowing me to facilitate educational and therapeutic learning environments.
My work during this time focused on creating spaces where people could explore emotions, creativity and personal transformation in a supportive and structured way.
Working With Children and Neurodiversity
One of the most enriching experiences of my professional life has been working within schools and nurseries, supporting neurodiverse children, including those with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) and other complex learning needs.
Through the use of creative, mindful and relational approaches, I was able to support children in developing emotional expression, self-regulation and confidence. Every child I had the honour to work with contributed to my understanding of the mind and human development. These experiences greatly expanded my awareness of neurodiversity, emotional sensitivity and the importance of adapting therapeutic approaches to each individual. During this period I also completed additional courses focusing on autism and challenging behaviours, further strengthening my ability to work with diverse needs.
Integrating Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy
While working in educational settings, I continued expanding my training and began studying to become a registered hypnotherapist. Hypnotherapy opened new perspectives for understanding the subconscious mind, emotional patterns and behavioural change. Alongside this training, I also continued my studies in counselling skills and psychotherapeutic approaches, with the long-term aim of working therapeutically with both adults and children.
The Philosophy Behind My Work
Self-exploration and curiosity have profoundly changed the direction of my life. Through years of personal work and professional practice, I have come to understand that healing is not a fixed destination but an ongoing journey. Each stage of life reveals new layers of awareness, growth and transformation. The beauty of this path lies in the continuous unfolding of understanding, both within ourselves and in the way we relate to others.
This journey never truly ends, and perhaps it should not.
Professional Qualifications and Training
My training integrates multiple therapeutic disciplines that support emotional, psychological and energetic well-being.
A Multidimensional and Integrative Approach to Healing
My work is grounded in a broad and multidisciplinary training that combines psychological, somatic, esoteric, energetic and educational perspectives. Over the years I have studied and practised a wide range of approaches, including hypnotherapy, counselling skills, holistic counselling and life coaching, parts work, past life regression, esoteric psychology, EFT, NLP, CBT, meditation and mindfulness, as well as Soul Plan practitioner training. Alongside these modalities, I have also explored energetic and holistic therapies such as Reiki, Egyptian Essene healing practices, aura reading and shadow integration. This diverse background allows me to work with the different layers of the human experience, mental, emotional, physical and energetic, rather than focusing on a single dimension of healing.
In addition to therapeutic training, my studies include work in autism and neurodiversity, behavioural and emotional development, and creative therapeutic methods, which have enriched my understanding of how individuals process experiences and express themselves in unique ways. My qualifications in teaching and scientific foundations, including a Level 3 Award in Education and Training and a Level 3 Diploma in Physiology and Pathology, also support a grounded and informed approach to the work I offer. This blended and multidimensional framework allows me to meet each person where they are, adapting the process to their needs and supporting deeper awareness, integration and long-term transformation.
If this resonates with your experience, I offer trauma-informed somatic counselling in Brighton and online, supporting people to move from reactive relational patterns to embodied, authentic connection. You’re welcome to book a free discovery call to explore working together.
