Meet your counsellor.

Hello, I’m Mari Obi, an NCPS Accredited Registrant and the therapist behind Daruma Therapy.

My own experiences in therapy showed me how life-changing it can be to have a supportive, non-judgmental space. I carry this into my practice by creating a place where clients feel accepted and encouraged to explore at their own pace.

My approach is also shaped by a multicultural background, having grown up across Switzerland, Japan, Canada, and now the UK. This has deepened my openness, curiosity, and appreciation for diverse perspectives and identities. While English is my main language, I also speak conversational French and Japanese, and I welcome the richness that different cultural experiences bring into the therapeutic space.

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I work in an integrative, trauma-informed way that draws primarily from person-centered and psychodynamic approaches. My style is gentle, exploratory, and relational, with space for both warmth and challenge.

I am committed to creating a practice that is culturally sensitive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and neurodiversity-affirming. I adapt therapy to your needs, supporting sensory preferences, honoring diverse backgrounds, and providing a space where you can explore at your own pace.

My therapeutic approach.

How can I support you?

I work with adults navigating a variety of challenges, including:

  • Anxiety and stress

  • Depression and low mood

  • Grief and loss

  • Trauma, PTSD, and complex PTSD

  • Self-esteem

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Family and attachment issues

  • Life transitions and changes

  • Cross-cultural experiences

  • Neurodivergence (ADHD, autism, sensory needs)

  • Emotional regulation

  • Self-harming

  • Suicidal ideation

I aim to provide a space where you feel heard and understood, no matter what brings you to therapy.

    • MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Distinction)

    • Accredited Registrant of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (MNCPS Acc.)

    • Certificate in Couples & Relationship Therapy

    • Certificate in Complex PTSD

    • English (Fluent)

    • French (Conversational)

    • Japanese (Conversational)

My training and qualifications.

The story behind Daruma Therapy.

Daruma dolls are a symbol of resilience and perseverance in Japanese culture. Weighted at the bottom, they return upright no matter how many times they are knocked over — a reminder that even when life feels difficult, we can keep getting back up.

I chose the name Daruma Therapy to honor both my cultural background and the spirit of therapy — a place where setbacks are part of the process, and where getting back up, with support, is possible.