About me

I’m Maria Skolozynska Edwards (she/her). I am a founder of Gentle Growth Therapy and a BACP-accredited integrative counsellor/therapist working with adults, children and young people.

I’m Polish, based in Brighton, in my thirties, and I’m an adoptive mum, queer, polyam, vegetarian, fat and disabled. I’m also neurodivergent (ADHD) and highly sensitive.

I work within the intersection of mental health and education with the focus on breaking the barriers put in place by the heteronormative, mononormative, racist, LGBTQIA+-phobic, capitalist and imperialist systems.

My career is focused on working with marginalised communities. Throughout my life I’ve worked with the houseless people in Poland, Syrian refugees, Palestinians in the West Bank, queer/transitioning children and teens, neurodivergent individuals excluded from education and more)

My goal in life is to offer an environment in which people feel comfortable, seen, accepted and safe.

Credentials

    • BA in Sociology (First-Class) from Collegium Civitas (2014, Warsaw)

    • Postgraduate Diploma in Training Facilitation in Education, Administration and Business from SWPS University + Laboratorium Psychoedukacji (2018, Warsaw)

    • PGCE (Primary) with SEND focus from London South Bank University (London, 2021)

    • Qualified Teacher Status - Teacher Reference Number 2054710

    • Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2) - CPCAB training from CPTA (Brighton, 2022)

    • Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST-L3) CPCAB course from CPTA (Brighton, 2022)

    • Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) - CPCAB training, BACP accredited from CPTA (Brighton, 2024)

    • British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Registered Member - 407777

    • 2024 - Founder of Gentle Growth - Therapy + Consulting

    • 2024 - Onsite School Counsellor (In training) at Bower Tree Therapeutic Services - Breakwater Academy in Newhaven

    • 2023 - Integrative Counsellor in Training at Choose Therapy

    • 2022-2024 - Senior Education Expert and Quality Assurer at Nudge Education Ltd

    • 2015-2023 - Founder and Lead Organiser of Podzielmy sie Foundation’s “Podziel się Posiłkiem z Bezdomnymi” initiative for the houseless community across Poland 

    • 2014 - 2018 - Co-organiser & Co-host at TEDxWarsaw

    • 2017 - Desk Officer at The Polish Center For International Aid - PCPM

    • 2015 - Shadow Teacher for Children with Autism at Mini Misie Preschool

    • 2008-2010 - Baby Sitter of a non-verbal young person (aged 7-9) with ASC/D diagnosis

    • A Black Perspective: Accessible & Inclusive Online Therapeutic Spaces - March 2023

    • ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - December 2021

    • An Early Years Approach to Neurodiversity - Qualified Tutor - January 2022

    • Autism Spectrum Disorder by University of California, Davis - March 2016

    • BACP CYPF Conference 2023 Breaking the cycle of trauma and promoting healing and hope - March 2023

    • BACP CYPF Conference 2024 Neurodiversity: the therapeutic encounter - March 2024

    • Cultural Competence Training - Nafsiyat Therapy - September 2023

    • Gestalt Chair/Cushion Workshop with Lawrence Capon - March 2024

    • Humanitarian Response to Conflict and Disaster at HarvardX - edX - 2016

    • Intersectionality and Social Change - Dwight Turner - April 2023

    • Introduction to Counselling Assessments, Private Practice and Advanced Techniques with Practical Applications - July 2024

    • It's your call: Safeguarding awareness training for workers who enter people's homes - TES - January 2022

    • Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Course at Dworczyk Training - 2015

    • Persuasive Presentation Course at Dworczyk Training - 2015

    • Pink Therapy 2023 Conference - Relationally Queer Online - August 2023

    • Safeguarding Children and Young People with SEND - January 2022

    • Supporting Dyscalculia Online - January 2022

    • Therapeutic Interventions with Children Workshop - Bower Tree Counselling Services - May 2024

    • Therapy and Social Change - Mick Cooper - February 2023

    • Understanding Domestic Abuse - Women's Aid - March 2024

    • Understanding How to Break Down Barriers for Learning - January 2022

    • Understanding coercive & controlling behaviour and the impact on survivors - Women's Aid - January 2024

    • iO Chicago 5-Week Intensive Improvised Theatre Course - July-August 2017

Book an initial call.

hello@gentlegrowth.co.uk