Laura Martin (my pronouns are She/Her)

I’m a UKCP accredited Gestalt psychotherapist in practice since 2017. I work in depth with people struggling with issues such as:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Lack of confidence
• Feeling low and hopeless
• Confusion about who you are and what you want
• Loneliness
• Unsatisfying or abusive relationships
• Problems coping with loss and grief.

So often these difficulties have roots in early relationships or traumatic experiences. To cope with painful situations, you might have shut off parts of yourself, come to negative conclusions about yourself and others, or developed harmful addictions. Over time this can lead to feeling very depressed. Making changes requires patience and time within a trusting relationship. In therapy, at your own pace, we can explore together how you have come to be as you are. I work with a compassionate understanding that you have always been trying to meet your needs as best you can, and that any unhelpful behaviours you have developed were once a good solution to the situations you found yourself in.

My approach is Gestalt therapy, so I pay particular attention to your experience in the present moment. I look for creative ways to help you discover different parts of yourself and begin to experiment with new ways of relating to yourself and your world. I trust that with greater awareness, you can make more fulfilling choices for yourself. While you may currently need some support, I believe you know more about what’s right for you than anyone else. I won’t label or diagnose you in any fixed way, as you are unique. I believe in the right environment, everyone can blossom, and that our most painful feelings become bearable when shared with someone you feel seen and heard by. Building on your experiences in a therapeutic relationship, you can start to find more support, satisfaction, and joy in your life.