I am Maria Zerafa. I am a warranted Gestalt Psychotherapist and a warranted Social Worker. I am also a mother, and a wife.
My life has always been characterised with grief and loss, although, my main loss came in 2010 when I lost my father at the age of 18 to a relatively short battle with cancer. Since then I have suffered other significant losses but none could match the depth of losing him. As I have learnt and am still learning how to navigate my own grief, I wish to have the opportunity to help others do the same. ​
Who Am I?
I chose to specialise in Grief Therapy because I wish to accompany people in their journey as they deal with loss and grief. I am a firm believer that when one finds a supportive and compassionate person by their side they feel understood and seen. This is what I aim to give to my clients. Beyond the techniques and professionals service, I am here to offer a safe, holding space where one can enter and find a place of resting and healing.
My Vision
My Training and Professional Accreditations
In 2014 I graduated in Social Work through the University of Malta where I proceeded to work as a social worker within the NGO of St Jeanne Antide Foundation (V/O 005). For the next 4 years I worked as a community social worker within Birzebbuga and Hal Tarxien where I learnt a lot about community development. I also practiced outreach to families who were very vulnerable and hard to reach by mainstream services. I was awarded the warrant in 2016 (warrant no 485).
In 2016 I also started reading my Masters Course in Gestalt Psychotherapist with the Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute Malta (EAPTI_GPTIM), and in 2018 I was already practicing as a psychotherapist within the Foundation for Social Welfare Service (FSWS). In 2020 I graduated with a Master's degree in Gestalt Psychotherapy and I also got my warrant (warrant no 245).
In 2022 I started working towards my certification in Grief Therapy as Meaning Reconstruction within the Portland Insititute for Loss and Transition. I am currently still employed with FSWS and I also have a private practice.