Martin Read, BACP

Martin Read is a UK-based counsellor with four years of professional experience and registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), a professional body that supports ethical practice in counselling. He works with people facing stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, motivation difficulties and depression, and he also supports issues such as avoidant personality patterns, caregiver stress, dissociation, guilt and shame, impulsivity, jealousy, questions of life purpose, obsessive-compulsive concerns, panic attacks and building self-love.

His primary framework is Client-Centered Therapy, an approach that treats the client as the expert on their own life and prioritises a non-judgemental, empathic therapeutic relationship. Martin combines this foundation with elements from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, inner child work and mindfulness to tailor support to each person’s needs rather than imposing a single formula. He aims to help clients clarify their values, understand their emotions from their own perspective and find ways to move toward a life that feels more aligned with what matters to them.

Martin recognises that starting counselling can feel difficult, so he focuses on creating a supportive, judgement-free space where people can share thoughts, feelings and hopes. He also acknowledges that fit matters; if after beginning work together someone feels he is not the right counsellor, he encourages open conversation about that and will support them in finding an alternative if that is in their best interests. He is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and aims to check his account at least once a day Monday to Friday to respond within 24 hours when contacted.

Client-Centered Approaches for Online Support

Martin primarily works from a Client-Centered Therapy perspective, which emphasises empathy, unconditional positive regard and helping clients explore their thoughts and feelings at their own pace. This approach suits people who want a supportive space to gain clarity about values, identity and emotional experience.

He also integrates elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a practical approach that helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that reflect their values. Mindfulness practices are used alongside these approaches to help with grounding and present-moment awareness, which can be helpful for anxiety, stress and emotional regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Martin works collaboratively to determine what fits best for each person. He listens to client goals, preferences and life circumstances to tailor sessions accordingly, and he remains open to adjusting methods as work progresses.

Online therapy with Martin is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. These options provide flexibility for scheduling, reduce travel time and make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives while still allowing meaningful, focused work with a registered professional.