Christine Martin

Availability weekdays

I am a Psychotherapist in Advanced clinical training practicing  counselling and psychotherapy using Transactional Analysis (TA).

TA offers an effective foundation for change, development, and self awareness. It provides constructs that can help us make new decisions that support the lives we want to live, explore our options for the future, improve our wellbeing and self awareness. 

TA can help to improve communication and relationships and is effective as a treatment modality for depression and anxiety, as well other mental health difficulties. 

Post Diploma I am working towards becoming a Certified Transactional Analyst, building on the robust and respected training I undertook for the Diploma.

My approach combines training, maturity, experience and sensitivity to thoughtfully walk the path of therapy and discovery with you. 

The experiences, thoughts, and emotions which form a person’s life are unique and valuable, and they sit at the centre of our work together.  I have worked with a range of difficulties and dilemmas which can occur at any point during a person’s life. I am familiar and happy to work with difference.

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.

Face-to-face sessions take place in a comfortable room in Exeter, Devon.

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

Online sessions are also available.

As an older person with considerable life experience, I bring maturity to my work and I am committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental space.

Perhaps you are feeling stuck in some aspect of your life or aren’t sure of the way ahead in your life. Transitions and dilemmas can occur at any point during a person’s life. These might include marriage or becoming a couple: changes in a private or professional role: uncertainty in identity: relationship difficulties: loss: pregnancy: child birth; and the challenges presented during the ageing process. Sometimes we need to make sense of what has happened to us and sort out our emotions. 

I understand how difficult it can be to talk about ourselves with a stranger. We need to feel accepted and supported to be able to do so, and we also need to feel we are being listened to while we are speaking. 

I have a strong and consistent background in Mental health and in therapeutic relationships. I trained as a Mental health nurse in the 1990’s and worked in hospital and community environments. 

Latterly I worked in the Higher education sector supporting students as a mental health mentor. More recently I started my training in TA. The part time Psychotherapy Diploma training took place over four years to Master’s level and required a minimum of forty hours mandatory personal therapy, therefore I have experienced therapy from both sides.

I take part in regular Continuing Professional development activities.

Interests and experience

Working with current and graduated home and international students, and staff

Health anxiety, anxiety in general and worrying

Depression

Trauma and difficulties in childhood.

Life transitions and dilemmas. 

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. The first two sessions are introductory. 

 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.