Christine Martin

Availability weekdays

I am a Psychotherapist in advanced training, and I practise counselling and psychotherapy using Transactional Analysis (TA). I was a mental health nurse for 22 years and in the past worked in inpatient and community roles and, of late, as a mental health mentor, in higher education.

I have a special interest in the transitions and dilemmas that can occur at any point during a woman’s life. These might include marrying; pregnancy; changes in role; relationship difficulties; and the challenges presented at menopause and during the aging process. It is common to experience uncertainty, confusion, fear, and pressure at times of change or loss. Depression and anxiety may emerge as well as other, less common mental health issues.

Times of change or loss can be difficult for everyone. I work with all genders, without discrimination.

I am open to bringing spirituality, another of my interests, into sessions if the client wishes to do so.

I offer short and longer-term work depending on the needs of the client.

Face to face sessions take place in a spacious, comfortable room in Exeter, Devon, with a Covid risk assessment in place. Online and telephone sessions are also available.

I am trained in the modality of Transactional Analysis, a school of psychotherapy developed in the 1950s by a Canadian-born psychiatrist called Eric Berne. Transactional Analysis is still practised widely today because it offers an excellent foundation from which to understand how we as human beings develop, make the choices we do, and how change can come about. It uses the observations of here and now conversations to improve communication and relationships and is effective as a treatment modality for depression and anxiety, as well other mental health difficulties.

However, it is not necessary to have a mental health difficulty in order to benefit from counselling or therapy. Transactional Analysis provides constructs that can help us make new decisions that support the lives we want to live, explore our options for the future, or improve our wellbeing. 

In our first session we can talk about your expectations of counselling or therapy, and any previous counselling or therapy you may have had. We will talk about brings you here today, and how it is affecting you. It may be that you have thoughts about what you would like to be different for you, however it may be the case that you are unsure about this, and that is ok too. I will ask about any health conditions you may have, and take contact details, and we can talk about the frequency of meetings, if we decide to work together. I will provide a contract for us to look at which gives information such as cancellation information, and costs. Our first session will be helpful for you to decide if you would like to work with me, and if I am the right person for you at this time. 

As an older person with considerable life experience, I bring maturity to my work. Others have commented that my warm nature has put them at ease, and that I have a calming presence. I am committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental space in which to help my clients explore their stories and make lasting changes to their lives.