Maria da Silva
Maria da Silva (PhD, DHP Acc Hyp) is a Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist and a Trauma/Attachment Informed Coach, an expert in helping people understand and overcome their past conditioning and engage in meaningful and peaceful relationships through Nonviolent Communication.
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The Devastating Estrangement of Entitled Adult Children
“The story: The Silence Between Them” Margaret sat by the window, her hands wrapped around a lukewarm cup of tea. The autumn leaves outside danced in the wind, but her heart felt still and heavy. It had been nearly two years since she’d heard from her daughter, Claire. This estrangement led to profund depression and guilt. Claire had always been spirited—bright, ambitious, and outspoken. Margaret and her late husband had done everything to support her: private school, university abroad, help with her first flat, and later, childcare when Claire had her own children. They’d never said no, even when it meant dipping into their retirement savings. But things changed after…
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Recovering from addiction: From the Bottom of the Bottle to the Top of the Hill
James’s Journey Out of Alcohol Addiction James was 42 when he first admitted to himself that something was wrong. He had always been the life of the party, the one with a drink in hand and a joke on his lips. But lately, the laughter felt hollow, and the drinks came earlier in the day. He missed meetings, forgot birthdays, and his teenage daughter had stopped talking to him. One morning, staring at his bloodshot eyes in the mirror, he whispered, “I think I have a problem.” That moment was James’s first step into the pre-contemplation stage shifting into contemplation. He began noticing how often he drank alone, especially when…
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Affair – the pain and the healing
“Dear Emma,I’ve spent countless hours trying to find the right words to say to you. None of them feel adequate, and maybe they never will. But I owe you honesty, vulnerability, and the truth—however painful it may be.I betrayed your trust. I had an affair. Saying those words aloud feels like a punch to the chest, and I know they must feel even worse to hear. I’m not writing this to justify what I did, because there is no justification. I’m writing to explain, to take responsibility, and to ask—if not for forgiveness—then for the chance to begin healing.The affair didn’t happen because of you. It wasn’t because you weren’t…
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How to Make Your Girlfriend Happy in 5 stages
🧠 A Modern Man’s Guide to Meaningful Relationships Dating today isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days when relationships were built on simple expectations—men as providers, women as nurturers. In our modern world, relationships demand emotional intelligence, communication skills, and mutual understanding. Love alone isn’t enough. To build a lasting, fulfilling relationship, men must learn the art of connection. This blog is a practical guide for men who want to create deeper, more meaningful relationships with their girlfriend. It’s not about manipulation or tricks—it’s about learning the skills that make love thrive. 🌟 The Five Stages of Dating In most situations, it takes time and a gradual…
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Caer Ibormeith
The Swan Maiden of Celtic Myth and Stronghold of the Heart In the rich tapestry of Celtic mythology, few figures are as enchanting and mysterious as Caer Ibormeith. Known as a swan maiden, a dream weaver, and a symbol of transformation, Caer’s story is deeply intertwined with themes of love, identity, and the power of listening to the soul’s quiet voice. Born to Ethal Anbuail, one of the mystical Tuatha de Danann, Caer was part of a lineage that, over centuries, evolved in folklore from ancient deities into fae royalty and legendary heroes who withdrew into the magical earth mounds known as sidhes. She and her father resided in Sidhe…
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Breaking Free from Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is one of the most socially accepted habits in modern society, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood. For many, drinking starts as a casual indulgence and gradually becomes a routine—one that’s hard to break. But what if the urge to drink isn’t truly an addiction, but a subconscious habit? And what if you could reprogram that habit using the power of your mind? The Emotional Roots of Drinking Alcohol is often used as an emotional anaesthetic. People drink not just for pleasure, but to numb pain, escape stress, or cope with unresolved trauma. In therapy, it’s common to find that excessive drinking is linked to emotional…
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Trauma Therapy: A Gentle Revolution
A Quiet Night, A Loud Memory Dan hadn’t slept through the night in years. Every time he closed his eyes, the same scene played out: flashing lights, shattered glass, the sound of sirens. It had been over a decade since the accident, but his mind replayed it like a film stuck on loop. Therapy had helped a little, but the memories still felt raw—too vivid, too loud. Then, one afternoon, his new therapist introduced something different. No retelling. No reliving. Just a quiet space, a relaxed breath, and a guided visualization. Sophie imagined watching the memory like a movie on a screen. Then she rewound it—again and again—until the emotional…
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In person or online therapy?
Discover the pros and cons of online therapy vs in-person therapy, and find out which format fits your lifestyle, comfort, and mental health needs best. Let’s face it—life can be a bit of a mess sometimes. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship woes, or just the existential dread of choosing what to watch on Netflix, therapy can be a game-changer. But in today’s world, you’ve got options: do you go old-school and sit on a therapist’s couch, or do you log in from your own couch (possibly in pajamas, with a cat on your lap)? Let’s break down the advantages and disadvantages of both online and in-person therapy, with…
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Hypnotherapy – How can it help you?
Hypnotherapy and specially, Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy, has been proven to be an effective and sustainable form of therapy in areas like weight-loss, IBS, moderate anxiety and depression, stop smoking, improve performance and confidence, etc. Here you will find information about the pros and cons of hypnotherapy and research about the subject. “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world.” Einstein . The word “hypnosis” has always had a bit a mysterious connotation. Some people seem to encourage the believe that they have a very special or even esoteric skill, when they use hypnosis. This is added to by the fact that, although…
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Convinience food is making you fat
Understanding weight-gain will help you on your journey to weight-loss. Knowledge is power. The survival Instinct Our hunter-gatherer ancestors didn’t have much sugar and carbohydrates at their disposal but they had a very active life in searching for food and building shelters. Your ancestor would spend hours and hours looking for food (in the woods, not in Tesco). He would be tired and hungry after a long time of searching. He is feeling desperate for food because he’s burnt most of what he last ate, maybe 24 hours ago. But then, something wonderful happens… He found a supply of honey! All that energy in one go! The sugar in that…
