Martin Firstbrook

Verified Professional task_alt Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

Individuals and Couples - BA (Hons), PGDip, MBACP, MCIPD
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Epsom KT17 & London EC2N
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Currently only accepting clients in Epsom and Online. 

I work with individuals and couples who want a place to reflect and make sense of their current difficulties so that they can get back on track.  I also offer a specialist service for business owners and professionals (see my website for details).  I offer a friendly, down to earth, research backed approach both online and face to face. I can provide counselling, psychotherapy and coaching, or a combination as determined by your unique needs.

​I start from the perspective that people make sense i.e. their behaviour and what they are experiencing have meaning that can be understood in the context of their history and their current life context. Exploring this meaning together is an important aspect of my approach.

Many of my clients are struggling with their life, relationships and work challenges for all sorts of reasons including anxiety, low self-esteem, feeling low/depression, betrayal/infidelity, imposter syndrome, anger, panic attacks, feelings of isolation, trauma/PTSD, bereavement, self-harm, suicidality, general work related difficulties.

Some of my clients simply want to use the space as a way of exploring and understanding themselves or their relationship, finding meaning and purpose in their lives or considering their life/career direction.  I also regularly work with business professionals, supporting them with the psychological challenges of their work lives and businesses. 

I have worked successfully with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, including City professionals, medical professionals, entrepreneurs, rock band drummers, actors, fashion stylists, paramedics, the unemployed, and everyone in-between.  Everyone has their own unique story and their own challenges.

​I am professional but down to earth. When you work with me, there will be times of serious reflection, but there will also times of laughter and lightness. I am actively involved as a therapist and coach, I am not a blank screen who occasionally nods. There will be times where it is important for me to simply listen and to help you listen to yourself but I will also engage with you actively, including sharing ideas and thoughts that may support meaning making and understanding of your situation.

My training is integrative, which allows me to adapt my approach to your unique needs. As a result, my approach may range from a cognitive approach, to a more imaginative and intuitive approach, depending on what the situation demands. Whatever method used, the intent will be to support the development of insight and enable you to get back on track.

For more information on my approach to relationship/couples therapy visit - https://www.psycheinthecity.com/relationships

For more information on my specialist service for business professionals, visit - https://www.psycheinthecity.com/psychologyforprofessionals

Next Steps

You can make a booking online at www.psycheinthecity.com or you can contact me via text, email or phone to make a general enquiry.  I sometimes have availability not shown through the online booking system so please get in touch if you don't see a suitable time.  Typically, the next step will be an initial consultation.  During that meeting we will discuss your situation and get to know each other a little before deciding on whether we will work together for a length of time and on what basis.

Training, qualifications & experience

I am an experienced, qualified and accredited counsellor, psychotherapist, couples therapist and coach.

My training is fully accredited by BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) and the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy).  I am a Registered Accredited Member of the BACP, adhering to their Ethical Framework, fully insured and in monthly supervision.

My advanced diploma in couples therapy is accredited by COSRT, the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists.

As a coach, I have deep and varied training and qualifications including accreditation by the World Association of Business Coaches and accreditation as a specialist in test use from the British Psychological Society. I have over 12 years of experience working as an executive coach in the City and globally (Asia, Africa, US, Europe).

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis Counselling, accredited by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
  • Level 1 & 2 Gottman Couples Therapy / Couples Counselling Training
  • Advanced Diploma in Couples Therapy accredited by COSRT, College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists.
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies (ongoing)
  • Certificate in Groupwork - Gestalt Centre
  • Member of the British Psychological Society
  • Member of the BPS Special Group in Coaching
  • British Psychological Society, Qualified Specialist in Test Use
  • Accredited to use a range of psychometric tools including: Hogan Assessments HDS, HPI, MVPI; Talent Q Dimensions; Neo PI-R; MBTI; BeTalent Strengths, Values and Decision Making Style
  • Meyler Campbell Business Coach Programme, accredited by the World Association of Business Coaches
  • Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Photos & videos

Fees

£110.00 - £125.00

Additional information

Personally Funded

Individual Therapy - £100 (Initial Consultation - £50); Couples Therapy £120 (Initial Consultation - £60).  The Initial Consultation is a 50 minute meeting to explore your situation and determine if we are a good match. 

Fees are reviewed each year on 1st April.

Private Health Funded

I am a recognised psychotherapist with WPA Healthcare and Vitality Health Insurance.  Fees covered under private health are charged to your insurer.  The difference between the insurer rebate and the actual fees (listed above) will be invoiced to you directly. 

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

5 Bevan Park, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 1NJ

Warnford Court, London, EC2N 2QP

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
Organisations

Key details

DBS check info

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Skype
Whatsapp
Zoom