Martin Fisher

I am based in London and am available remotely to work nationwide and internationally.  I welcome people of all backgrounds and religions, including gender, sexual and relationship diversities.  

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne I have over the years lived in Kent, Sussex, Islington and Camden.  I have family connections to Sweden, Ireland, Turkey and Pakistan and I've worked in Malaysia and Sudan.  

A former barrister, I preferred my clients to the law so retrained to spend longer with them than the role of an advocate allowed.  My MSc Psychology involved original research into an aspect of eating disorders. 

My professional orientation is integrative and my clients include adult survivors of child abuse and people struggling with addiction, anxiety, bereavement, codependency, depression, OCD, trauma etc. 

Last updated June 2020

Therapy is a relationship

That is to say, one hundred years of research into ‘what works’ has consistently shown that other than your readiness to work on yourself in therapy, the key ingredient is the strength and quality of the relationship we establish.  What passes between us will be co-created and will forever change me as well as you.  For this reason I prefer to work long term or at least open-ended.  

Online or face-to-face?

Coronavirus lockdown demonstrated that working remotely can be as effective as face-to-face, so I’m happy to work whichever way you prefer, or in combination.  After all, it is not the medium that keeps things out of the therapy room ('shame' does that).  

My motto: “Until you know you’ve got it… it’s got you”, which captures my commitment to psycho-education because I seek to demystify psychotherapy.  So, as and when an opportunity arises, I will want to teach you what I know about Attachment Theory, Neuroscience and Trauma-Informed Practice.  In particular, you will quickly come to know about your amygdala – I call her Amy and I aim to make her your best friend. 

I use all of myself in the service of the therapy and in previous careers it was my job to intervene strongly, so I am not the quiet type who sits opposite you and only listens.  Quid pro quo, you are welcome to disagree with me or ask me to stop. 

Qualifications

Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (MBACP), Member of the British Psychological Society (MBPsS), Master of Science (MSc, Regents University), Master of Arts (MA Cantab), Bachelor of Arts (Law Tripos, Cambridge University).  I am DBS checked annually. 

First, reaching out is usually the most difficult part, so if you've made it this far, well done.  After an initial phone call to check we can work together I will invite you to an assessment session.  I would prefer it was done face-to-face if possible and you should treat it as your chance to assess me, to see if I am someone you feel you could open up to.  It generally follows a structured format designed to capture as much information as possible but I'm flexible.  You will have an opportunity to ask questions and as much time as you need afterwards, before deciding if I am the right therapist for you.  

After nearly 10 years in private practice, NHS IAPT and residential addiction recovery, in 2020 I have begun supervising. 

My experience as an integrative psychotherapist is complimented by previous careers in law (as a criminal defence barrister), the voluntary sector (in management) and social work (with young offenders), each nearly a decade long.  

I offer 60-minute sessions and am happy to work online or face-to-face.  

I use attachment theory, trauma informed practice, neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, addiction psychology and all my previous training and experience in law and social work. 

After an initial phone call to check we can work together, we will arrange an assessment session to check we are a good fit.  Thereafter, sessions will be as periodic as you desire.