About Maria

Founder | Psychotherapist | Facilitator | Speaker

Maria Kairouz is a psychotherapist, facilitator, and speaker, and the founder of whole sense, a practice grounded in compassion, inclusion, and meaningful change.

Maria brings together extensive clinical experience, a deep understanding of human behaviour, and a systems-informed lens to support individuals, families, NDIS participants, and organisations. Her work is relational, trauma-informed, and strengths-based, shaped by the belief that healing happens when people feel safe enough to be fully themselves.

A relational and trauma-informed approach

Maria’s approach is grounded in the understanding that distress does not exist in isolation. It is shaped by relationships, environments, culture, identity, and lived experience. Rather than focusing on “fixing” people, Maria works collaboratively to build safety, awareness, and capacity, supporting clients to reconnect with themselves, with others, and with what matters most.

Her therapeutic style is calm, attuned, and thoughtful. Clients often describe feeling deeply seen, supported, and respected, even when working through complex or painful experiences.

Areas of expertise

Maria has extensive experience supporting people navigating:

Trauma and complex trauma
Anxiety, burnout, and emotional overwhelm
Relationship and attachment challenges
Neurodiversity (ADHD- and autism-affirming support)
Domestic and family violence
Sexual harm and boundary violations
Identity, self-worth, and self-compassion
Youth mental health and family systems

She provides all-abilities affirming care, working respectfully with NDIS participants, families, carers, and support teams to build skills, confidence, and meaningful participation.

NDIS, community, and systems work

Alongside clinical practice, Maria works closely with support workers, carers, and multidisciplinary teams. She provides reflective practice, training, and guidance to support ethical, trauma-informed care, particularly for individuals with complex needs.

Her work prioritises dignity, consent, and collaboration, ensuring that supports are responsive, sustainable, and person-centred.

Organisational consultancy and speaking

Maria is also engaged as a consultant, facilitator, and speaker across corporate, government, and community settings. She delivers training and strategic support in areas including:

Maria is known for her ability to hold complex conversations with clarity and care, creating spaces that are both safe and challenging, where learning, accountability, and growth can occur.

Values at the heart of whole sense

whole sense was created to reflect Maria’s core values:

Maria believes that healing and change are not about becoming someone new, but about coming home to yourself, and being supported to live with greater clarity, connection, and integrity.

A personal note

If you’re reading this, you may be navigating something tender, complex, or unfamiliar, or you may be seeking a way to support others more thoughtfully. Wherever you are, you don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out.

I believe deeply in people’s capacity to heal, grow, and change when they are met with safety, honesty, and care. My role is not to tell you who to be, but to walk alongside you as you reconnect with your own wisdom, boundaries, and sense of self.

Whether we work together in therapy, through NDIS supports, training, or organisational work, my intention is the same: to create space where you feel respected, supported, and able to show up as you are.