Martin Kelly
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
My job is to guide you on your journey of personal discovery but not tell you what to do. Instead, I am here to help you listen to your own wisdom.
I have a particular interest in helping people integrate their spirituality - defined as that which gives meaning, purpose and value to life - with their sexuality and/or gender identity.
But I have worked with many people from all walks of life struggling with a wide variety of issues. Whether you feel overwhelmed by anxiety or anger or our finding it difficult to communicate with someone close to you or you are fighting off depression or suffering from bereavement, I will listen to you with respect. As a trained therapist I can help you find your direction again, realise the choices you have and act on them.
The type of counselling I practise is called Psychosynthesis, supplemented by CBT tools and techniques but I am not wedded to either. You’re the one who counts, not the theory.
However, for those with an interest in such things, Psychosynthesis is an holistic model of the person which works to bring together body, mind, feelings and the various roles we play in life into harmony. Through helping us to understand our wounding and to take responsibility for our healing, Pyschosynthesis offers us a way of recognising, accepting and using all the different parts that make up who we are in a conscious, purposeful way. It does not underestimate the pain of crisis or failure but seeks to help us to use it creatively to better understand our path in life and to realise our full potential as human beings.
Whatever you're going through, my job as your counsellor is to be your guide.
My practice is online and in Westerham, Kent covering Oxted, Sevenoaks and surrounding areas.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, having trained on a BACP accredited course at the Psychosynthesis and Education Trust in London and qualified in 2002. My postgraduate counselling diploma is validated by the University of East London.
I am also a former Anglican priest, having studied full-time for three years for a Certificate in Theology from the University of Oxford in 1983. I became a Catholic in 2018 and now also offer monthly spiritual direction in the Ignatian tradition on a donations basis. A particular concern I have is to help LGBT+ people integrate their faith with their sexuality and/or gender identity. I am a lay member of the LGBT+ chaplaincy for the Diocese of Westminster. Please see the Spiritual Counselling and Spiritual Direction page of my website; www.martinkellycounselling.co.uk for further details.
Testimonials
I owe a great deal to Martin's patience, good humour and professional practice. I was exceptionally doubtful when looking into the process of counselling and even still when I was given a recommendation for a counsellor. Martin made me feel at ease with his calm and welcoming nature. His passion for his work and his clients is evident in all that he does. Before I met Martin I was lost. With his personal and relaxed style, he was able to draw out wisdom and energy I never knew were there. The time has been so valuable and the guidance I received will stay with me a lifetime. HY
Martin has changed my life. I feel more comfortable in my skin, more confident, better able to take on challenges, and better able to form relationships with friends and colleagues. Issues that I once thought would be lifelong concerns now seem like specks in the rear view mirror. Martin is kind enough, wise enough and firm enough to deliver life-enriching therapy. KDN
Whilst going through an unexpected difficult patch, I had the good fortune to be introduced to Martin who really took the time to listen and understand the challenges I was facing. He offered some extremely useful techniques to help cope with problem situations in a safe, relaxed and confidential environment over a defined period which helped me to get back on track. I would highly recommend Martin to anyone who is going through a difficult period in their life and wants some quality, constructive support. ED
For more testimonials please see my website.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I work online and in person at my home in Westerham, Kent. Please contact me for availability.
When I work
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