Maria

Mrs Maria Lumsden Rieder

Psychotherapist

“In my work, I draw on systemic approaches, psychodrama, and cognitive behavioural methods, always adapting these to the individual needs and life contexts of the people I work with. A central aspect of my practice is positive psychology, with a strong emphasis on strengthening personal resources and developing what I describe as “change intelligence” — the ability to understand, shape, and sustain meaningful personal change.”

About Me

I am a psychologist and psychotherapy practitioner with extensive experience working with people from diverse cultural and multinational backgrounds. My work focuses on psychological well-being and emotional change processes, integrating systemic approaches, psychodrama, and cognitive behavioural methods. I am particularly interested in positive psychology and in supporting individuals to develop their personal change intelligence.

Approach

That breadth informs how I structure sessions: clear, paced and responsive to the cultural threads you bring. I work from Basel and with clients in English or German, offering in-person and online meetings that fit your schedule and needs. Sessions often mix focused dialogue with short enactments or practical experiments to rehearse new ways of relating, plus brief between-session reflections to track what shifts; the emphasis is always collaborative and concrete. People facing cross-cultural change, burnout or difficult life transitions often find this practical, steady way of working helpful.
Contact Maria

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Services

One to one therapy Supervision Teaching

Services Offered:

  • •
    Corporate Workshops

    Mental health and well-being workshops delivered in workplace settings, covering topics like stress management, resilience, and communication.

  • •
    Wellness Support

    Holistic support focused on overall well-being, including stress management, lifestyle balance, and building sustainable healthy habits.

  • •
    Relationship Counseling

    Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.

  • •
    CBT

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.

    Learn more about CBT
  • •
    Disability Psychological & Diagnostic Assessment

    A formal psychological evaluation to determine the nature and extent of a disability, often used for support planning or service access.

  • •
    Group Therapy

    Therapy conducted with a small group of people who share similar concerns, using peer interaction and diverse perspectives as part of the healing process.

    Learn more about Group Therapy

Works With:

  • •Couples
  • •Groups
  • •Organisations
  • •All ages

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • •
    Addiction

    A compulsive dependence on a substance or behaviour, such as alcohol, drugs, or gambling, that causes harmful consequences to health, relationships, or daily life.

    Learn more about Addiction
  • •
    Life Transitions

    Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.

    Learn more about Life Transitions
  • •
    Cross-Cultural

    The psychological challenges of living between two or more cultures, including identity conflicts, acculturation stress, and difficulties with belonging.

  • •
    Stress / Burnout

    The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).

    Learn more about Stress / Burnout
  • •
    Personal Development

    The ongoing process of self-awareness, self-improvement, and reaching one's potential, pursued not because something is wrong but to live more fully.

  • •
    Relationship Issues

    Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.

    Learn more about Relationship Issues

Professional Title:

  • •
    Psychotherapist

    A professional trained to provide in-depth therapy that explores patterns in thoughts, emotions, and relationships to produce lasting change.

Qualifications

University of Sheffield

Registrations

United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP); European Council for Psychotherapy (ECP) and World Council for Psychotherapy (WCP)

Psychodrama Psychotherapist

Service Area

Universität of Basel, ZEPP

In-person & Online

Basel, Basel-Stadt

Switzerland