Justine Garside-Martin - Counsellor & Arts Therapist
About me
Hi, I'm Justine. Thank you for taking the time to view my page.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, either triggered by a life changing event such as a bereavement or by ongoing stress, it can be helpful to talk with someone in confidence who is outside your immediate support network.
How I can help you
As an experienced counsellor and arts therapist registered with the National Counselling Society (NCS), Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), I can offer you a respectful confidential space to help you to make sense of your situation and support you to identify your choices for moving forward. Our work together in a counselling relationship can be short term to focus on specific issues, or longer term to explore your concerns in more depth.
For when words are not enough, you may choose to use creative approaches to express yourself, to help you to think out of the box or to gain additional insights into your feelings. I will guide you through approaches to help you draw on your creativity and imagination to explore and gain different perspectives on what is bothering you.
I have provided counselling and therapy to adults and young people for over 20 years within a range of private, educational and social care settings, and I am also currently working as a counsellor within a bereavement service.
I am registered with and work within the ethical guidelines of NCS, HCPC, and the British Association of Drama therapists (BADTH). As a trained supervisor I also support practitioners and trainees in their clinical work.
What to do next
When you contact me, I will get in touch to understand if what I provide might be suitable for you. If you would like to proceed, I will provide an initial 50-minute session for a reduced fee of £30. This will provide an opportunity to explain fully how I work, and for you to express what you would like to explore in therapy and to ask questions.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss how we can work together.
Online therapy
During the Covid-19 pandemic, I am offering online and telephone sessions. I hope to resume delivering face to face sessions in Colchester (CO1) and London (N16) in 2021 but will also continue to provide online support.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Diploma in Counselling - New City College London
- CAST Supervisor - Central Royal College of Speech and Drama
- MA in Dramatherapy (Distinction) - Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
- Adv Diploma in Dramatherapy - Royal Central College of Speech and Drama
- BA (Hons) in Theatre - Dartington College of Arts
Member organisations
Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

Health and Care Professions Council
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.

National Counselling Society
The National Counselling Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership

Accredited Register Scheme
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Acquired brain injury
Therapies offered
Fees
My Fees:
- Individuals - £50 for a 50 minute session
- Clinical supervision - £50 for an hour session
- Clinical supervision for students - £40
Concessions offered for
Availability
I currently have some availability during the day on week days, including some evening slots Tuesday to Thursday up to 8pm.
Further information
I have limited availability for individuals experiencing financial hardship. Please contact me for further information.