Martin Handy MBACP

Training, qualifications & experience

I have been working privately since 2014 as a counsellor. I have 24 years of experience working with young people and adults. I also have experience of working with survivors of rape and sexual abuse in a centre in Wiltshire where I had further training in trauma recovery.

Anxiety, and conditions like SAD (seasonal affective disorder), bipolar, panic attacks and depression are the most common issues for people coming for counselling and so the most common issue therapists work with and specialise in. What makes people's anxiety different are the causes of that anxiety.

I have worked in trauma recovery, more specifically in rape and childhood sexual abuse where I had a placement for training. I also specialise in LGBTQ+ issues  where gay affirmative therapy and relationships are explored. Relationships are a specialist area of counselling often focusing on having to make tumultuous decisions around separation, divorce, betrayal, abuse, bullying, affairs and family issues and what they can leave behind such as low self-esteem and confidence. Grief and bereavement can also trigger very intense emotions and require an awareness of the different phases of the grieving process.

Addictions are another area that clients approach counselling for to help work through their difficult periods in life. Anger is a common enquiry and requires looking back at the causes in the past as well as finding new ways of being, thinking and doing in overcoming destructive habits and attitudes.

Qualifications and CPD

Working with Young People (11-18), Bournemouth, UK

Advanced Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Southampton, UK

Working with Sexual Trauma, Wiltshire, UK

Advanced Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Southampton, UK

Compassionate Focused Therapy with Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse, Dorset Action on Abuse, UK

Diploma of Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Hampshire, UK

Bachelor of Education (Primary), University of Winchester, UK