Martin Read, BACP

Martin Read is a UK-based counsellor with four years of professional experience who supports people facing stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, and depression. He is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), a professional body that sets standards and guidance for counselling practice in the United Kingdom. Martin draws on a person-centred orientation, creating a non-judgemental environment where the client’s own experience guides the work and the therapist acts as a collaborative companion rather than an authority.

He places emphasis on helping clients explore their values, identify what matters to them, and take steps toward a life that feels more aligned with those priorities. To tailor therapy to each individual he integrates elements from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Inner Child work, and Mindfulness, selecting tools that match a person’s needs rather than applying a single fixed method. This flexible approach is intended to address a range of concerns including panic, obsessive thoughts and behaviours, relationship difficulties, caregiver stress, and struggles with self-love or purpose.

Martin aims to make the counselling process approachable and supportive, encouraging open feedback about fit and helping clients find an alternative therapist if that serves their goals better. He is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and typically checks his account at least once daily Monday to Friday, responding within 24 hours to new contacts.

Client-Centered Approaches and Flexible Online Therapy

Martin practises primarily from a client-centred perspective, which focuses on listening deeply, reflecting clients' experiences, and creating a supportive atmosphere where the client’s own priorities lead the work. This approach is well suited to people wanting to explore identity, values, and emotional experience without feeling directed by the therapist.

He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in sessions to help people notice unhelpful patterns, clarify what matters to them, and take gradual steps toward meaningful action. Mindfulness techniques are used to build present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity, which can help with anxiety, panic, and emotional regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and will be determined collaboratively. The therapist will work with each person to identify which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting over time as progress is made.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - appointments can take place by video call, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit therapy around work, family, and daily life. These options help broaden access to licensed professionals and therapists while allowing sessions to continue even when in-person meetings are difficult.