About me
Hi, I am Maria Nazdravan.
I am a fully qualified and experienced integrative transpersonal and somatic trauma psychotherapist in private practice in London.
Through many years of in-depth training, I’ve developed a therapeutic approach that bridges the wisdom of the body with the creative and symbolic language of the psyche. I work collaboratively with clients using dreams, active imagination, somatic awareness, and creative process to support meaningful and lasting transformation.
While I work with a broad range of issues, I have extensive specialist training in trauma and bring a body-informed, relational approach to healing its impact. My practice is also a welcoming space for neurodivergent clients and those drawn to depth work or creative exploration.
I also work with the Dream Research Institute in London, co-host their Dream Boat Podcast, I write the Begin Again newsletter on Substack, and I teach dreamwork and lead dream groups in my community, Dreamwork Circle.
I am a registered member of the BACP and adhere to their code of ethics.
My training
Psychotherapy & trauma treatment
Post-graduate Diploma in Integrative Transpersonal Psychotherapy
CCPE UK (2021-2024,)
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - Level 1 Trauma Themes
SPI (October 2021- May 2022)
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - Level 2 Developmental Injury
SPI (October 2022 - May 2023)
Advanced Master Program on the Treatment of Trauma
NICABM (12 hours)
Working with the Pain of Abandonment
NICABM (4 hours)
IFS for Complex Trauma
by Frank Anderson via PESI (12 hours)
Working with Narcissism: Essential Strategies for Working with Narcissism, Severe Traumatisation, Abuse, and Neglect
by Christiane Sanderson via PESI (5 hours)
Grieving a Lost Childhood: A Somatic Approach to Healing Emotional Wounds
by Janina Fisher via Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute (1.2 hours)
Neurodiversity
IFS Therapy With Autistic Clients
with Sarah Bergenfield, PESI (6 hours)
Mindfulness
Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Practitioner
with David Treleaven (12 hours)
Masterclass in Interactive Guided Meditation
with Jack Kornfield (9 hours)
Astrology
Diploma Course in Astrology
Kairos School of Astrology (2024-2025)
Foundation Course in Astrology
Kairos School of Astrology (2023-2024)
Tarot
A Jungian Perspective on the Tarot
5-week course with Ken James
Psychedelic therapy
Navigating Psychedelics for Clinicians and Therapists
Psychedelics Today
Psychedelic Harm Reduction
The Psychedelic Society UK
Storytelling & communication
BA in Communication & PR
University of Bucharest (2008-2011)
Improv Comedy Levels 1-4
Monkeytoast UK
My values
Integrity
There’s a saying in therapeutic circles that you can’t take someone further than you’ve gone yourself, and I think that’s absolutely true. Everything I teach is the result of dedicated study and hard-earned experience–I really practice what I preach. And that means being honest about where I’m at in my own journey and whether I’m the right person to help you.
Service
In the Arthurian legend of The Holy Grail, the young Perceval can save the wounded Fisher King and restore health in the kingdom with one important question: “Whom does the grail serve?” I believe we’re all given an option in our lives. Do we want to serve our egos or something greater—be that an idea, a group of people, a value, or the great mystery some might call god? My work is now to support others in finding their way to this place within themselves through the mud of the personality, trauma, and societal “shoulds”.
Wholeness
It’s taken me a long time to understand that perfection is not the same as wholeness, but actually the arch-rival of authenticity and deep connection. A big part of my work is about cultivating a space where we can both drop into the wholeness that already exists within us: a place where we can meet and see all parts of ourselves as lovable, wise, and purposeful.
Humour
I like to believe we’re here on earth to also “fart around”, as the brilliant Kurt Vonnegut said—to enjoy the human experience with all its ups and downs. In my experience, the more we become ourselves, the more we can laugh at the absurdity and utter magic of life. I’m a big fan of comedy and improv, and a very silly person at heart: my last name actually means cheeky or naughty (or superhero). And while the work I do can go to some deep, serious places, most of my sessions are punctuated with real bursts of joy and laughter.
Featured interviews
I also teach the Dreamwork module in the Psychedelic Mentorship Program offered by Onaya Science.