Welcome to Ditch the Black Dog
A safe and sacred space where wounded Souls battling depression can heal and thrive using the power of magick*!
♥
Hi, I’m Maria
I’m a mental wellness mentor for people like you who are looking for natural and alternative ways to treat depression.
I’ll show you how to ditch the black dog of depression and unleash your passion for life without taking meds you might not need, or endless talk therapy sessions that spend too much time focusing on your past, leaving you feeling exhausted, disempowered and broken.
After suffering from depression for decades, I hit a crossroads. I knew I had a choice – to give up and succumb to this awful mental illness, or do whatever it took to ditch the black dog.
Luckily, my kids gave me the motivation to not only fight, but to learn everything I could about depression and how we can put it into remission and live happy, fulfilled lives.

I’ve taken everything I’ve learned and created the kind of therapeutic space I needed when I was suffering from the worst depression of my life.
I don’t want you, or anyone else, to feel as broken, hopeless and alone as I did.
To discover how you can ditch the black dog and create the happy life you desire and deserve, join the Ditch the Black Dog Virtual Retreat.
It’s an online space where you can find support, healing, and hope, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – even at 4am when everything feels darkest.

The most important thing you need to know about me
I’m NOT your typical mental wellness mentor!
Oooh no!
My approach to ditching the black dog of depression is unique.
I’m a certified coach, counselor, and nature therapist specializing in the holistic management of depression.
But I’m also an intuitive Gaian Witch and energy healer practicing something I call Therapeutic Witchcraft™.
Don’t be put off by the witchy ‘woo woo’ stuff though!

After a decade of research, training and practice, I created The Gaian Method™ which blends: –
🤯 modern neuroscience-based coaching and therapy tools;
🥗 simple and practical lifestyle changes;
💞 the ‘C’s of Change (these can transform your life);
✨ with a generous sprinkle of Gaian Magick™ (through Therapeutic Witchcraft™ healing rituals, ceremonies, spells, nature and animal assisted therapy, and much, much more);
to help you recover from depression in ways so simple they feel like they’re happening as if by magick!*
I battled depression for decades. The Gaian Method™ didn’t just change my life – it saved it.


I’m here to show you how the Gaian Method™ can help you break free from depression so you can feel healthy, happy and whole – whatever that means to you.
After the hell you’ve been through, isn’t it time you got to create the happy life you desire and deserve?

Introducing the Ditch the Black Dog Virtual Retreat
When you’re battling depression, finding effective support can feel impossible.
Maybe you've been prescribed medications that leave you feeling numb, or suffering with hideous side effects that make you feel even more miserable!
Have you waited months for therapy, only to get a handful of sessions - one hour a week, with no support in between appointments?
If you've been lucky enough to access therapy at all, maybe it didn't work the way you hoped, or your allocated sessions ended before you felt better, leaving you feeling alone and lost.
Even worse, have you fought your way through one bout of depression, only to find that the black dog is still nipping at your heels and the cycle of waiting for help has to start all over again?
Or have you received treatment in hospital and now find yourself struggling to put the pieces of your life back together by yourself?
Enough already!
It's time to end the cycle of suffering.
I created the Ditch the Black Dog Virtual Retreat - a therapeutic online space where you can access everything you need to get started on your journey to ditching the black dog of depression and unleashing your passion for life.
Join the Ditch the Black Dog of Depression Virtual Retreat
The Ditch the Black Dog Virtual Retreat is always open for you.
There's something helpful, no matter which stage of depression you find yourself in.
You'll find support, practical tools, healing, and hope, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week - even at 4am when everything feels darkest.
Take a look - it might be exactly what you need to help you put depression into remission for good.

Not ready to join the Ditch the Black Dog Virtual Retreat?
That's ok! You can find out more and get a taste of what the retreat has to offer inside the Black Dog Café community.
You don't have to battle the Black Dog of depression alone!
The Black Dog Café is a FREE, off-Facebook sanctuary for depressed souls who are done pretending they’re fine.
No pressure. No platitudes.
Just connection, compassion, and a generous sparkle of healing magick to help you feel a little less alone - and a little more you.
Don't bother getting out of your PJ's - just grab a coffee (or your favourite drink and come on over.
You don’t have to battle the Black Dog alone. I'm saving a space for you! ☕

Are you tired of feeling the black dog of depression constantly nipping at your heels?
Here are some quick ways to find out more about me and how the Gaian Method™
can help you to feel healthy, happy and whole!

Do you fancy ditching the black dog of depression here with me in Spain?
Come on a retreat or join a nature therapy session in the Costa Blanca area of Spain.
*I believe in a fair, just, inclusive and equal society. This means that I aim to make my products and services accessible to all. I offer lots of free resources to help you get started and if you need financial help to access my paid programs, please visit my Giving Back page.

What do people say about working with me?

Here are some blog posts to help you get started
Prefer to listen? Listen to the Ditch the Black Dog Podcast

About Maria Gaian
Maria Gaian knows firsthand the weight of lifelong depression - and the freedom of putting the 'black dog' into remission! After overcoming her own struggles, she made it her mission to help wounded Souls feel healthy, happy, and whole.
With over a decade of study, Maria discovered that many sufferers don’t fully recover because traditional treatments only focus on managing or even suppressing depression, not healing its root cause. Depression isn’t a standalone illness - it’s a symptom of deeper emotional wounds that need attention.
Determined to change the way we treat depression, Maria created The Gaian Method™, a holistic and deeply personal approach that not only supports individual healing but also addresses the societal and cultural factors that contribute to mental distress.


Are you ready to ditch the black dog of depression and unleash your passion for living?
Contact Me
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