Counselling with us
At St Martin’s Counselling, we offer counselling that is rooted in trust, respect, and the belief that change is possible even when life feels stuck or overwhelming.
We are positive about risk. That means we don’t shy away from difficult or complex issues. We welcome open, honest conversations at your pace, in your own words, because we believe that healing happens when you’re truly heard and supported without judgement.
Our approach is trauma-informed, meaning we understand how past experiences, especially those involving trauma or adversity, can shape your emotional world, relationships, and sense of self. We’re here to work with, not against, the protective strategies you’ve had to develop. We aim to create a safe and empowering space where you’re always in control of your therapeutic journey.
We’re also person-centred in the broadest sense. Your story, your values, and your goals matter most. Our counsellors don’t offer quick fixes or one-size-fits-all advice. Instead, we listen deeply, respond with care, and support you in finding the path that’s right for you.
What can we help you with?
Feeling overwhelmed by persistent worry, dread, or sudden, intense waves of panic can significantly disrupt daily life. Anxiety and panic attacks are more than just stress; they can manifest with physical symptoms like a racing heart, breathlessness, and dizziness, making it hard to feel safe or in control. Counselling provides a vital space to understand the root causes of your anxiety, develop effective coping strategies, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and regain a sense of calm and control over your life.
When persistent sadness, a lack of energy, and a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed begin to define your days, you might be experiencing depression or a pervasive low mood. These feelings can make it incredibly difficult to function, impacting relationships, work, and overall well-being. Counselling offers a supportive and confidential environment to explore these deep-seated feelings, develop strategies to manage symptoms, challenge negative thinking, and gradually find a path towards renewed hope and recovery.
In today’s fast-paced world, stress is common, but when it becomes relentless and overwhelming, it can lead to burnout – a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. This often leaves you feeling cynical, detached, and unable to perform, severely impacting your health and productivity. Counselling is crucial for identifying the specific stressors in your life, developing effective stress management techniques, setting healthy boundaries, and regaining the energy and perspective needed to prevent further exhaustion and foster resilience.
Even the strongest relationships can face challenges, from communication breakdowns and recurring conflicts to feelings of disconnect or growing apart. These difficulties can lead to profound unhappiness, affecting not just the couple but also families. Relationship and marriage counselling offers a neutral and safe space for partners to express their concerns, understand underlying dynamics, develop healthier communication skills, resolve conflicts constructively, and work towards rebuilding connection and a stronger, more fulfilling partnership.
Experiencing grief is a deeply personal and often overwhelming response to significant loss, whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a job loss, or a health decline. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve, but the process can be incredibly isolating and complex, sometimes leading to prolonged sadness or difficulty moving forward. Counselling provides a compassionate space to process intense emotions, navigate the stages of grief, honour what has been lost, and find healthy ways to adapt to life’s profound changes.
Traumatic experiences, such as abuse, accidents, or violence, can leave deep and lasting emotional wounds that significantly impact an individual’s sense of safety, trust, and well-being. The effects of trauma can manifest in various ways, including flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and difficulty forming relationships. Counselling is essential for safely processing these difficult memories, developing coping mechanisms to manage symptoms, rebuilding a sense of control, and working towards healing from the past to reclaim a sense of peace and stability.
Struggling with low self-esteem or a lack of confidence can hinder you from reaching your full potential, both personally and professionally. It often involves a pervasive sense of self-doubt, a tendency to compare yourself negatively to others, and a fear of failure that prevents you from taking opportunities or asserting your needs. Counselling helps you to challenge deeply ingrained negative beliefs about yourself, identify your strengths, build a more realistic and positive self-image, and develop the assertiveness needed to live a more fulfilling and empowered life.
Whether you’re facing a long-standing issue or need space to make sense of things, we’re here to help.
