BIRCH- HR have engaged Maria on behalf of our education clients to deal with complex and challenging cases of workplace conflict. We know Maria has significant experience as a mediator/counsellor and understands the education sector and the challenges our clients face.  On each occasion Maria has successfully helped individuals to overcome their differences, to explore their issues in a safe environment and to reach agreement about how to get their working relationship back on track. She doesn’t walk away while there are still concerns, she keeps going until the matters are resolved and there are tangible and sustained improvements. Maria quickly builds rapport, establishes trust and has a positive approach to mediation.

BIRCH-HR recommend Maria.  Our clients have consistently said how impressed they are by how she manages the stages of mediation, which has enabled them to reach a successful outcome and settlement of the workplace dispute(s).

Maria has an ability to gain one's confidence, to be objective and to listen. In my opinion Maria has the ideal qualities required for a counsellor.

As an alternative provision providing education for learners with SEMH, The Pavilion can be a challenging environment for staff. Maria has provided opportunities for supervision and counselling as well as mediation sessions if, and when, needed. She is a fundamental resource at The Pavilion that supports the well-being of all staff, providing fair but firm encouragement back to work and challenge where needed. Maria has also lead a number of effective presentations to staff regarding professional behaviour and leadership.

I have worked with Maria for a number of years now, and I asked Maria to provide a bespoke training course over a number of days to a team of newly appointed managers. During the delivery of these sessions she tailored the content to meet the needs of the group, focussing on specific areas as needed and as requirements changed. The feedback from my team was that Maria delivers training in a very engaging way that is both theoretical but also provides practical applications, they were 'buzzing' at the end of the sessions and I would definitely recommend using Maria for any training, mediation or counselling needs.

I have worked with Maria Goldsmith for ten years. Maria has resolved complex, sensitive cases. Maria has helped staff return from sickness and special leave circumstances and helped staff leave with dignity and compassion.