Martin Firstbrook
BA (Hons), PgDP, MBACP (Accred)
 

I work with individuals and couples, often in demanding professional roles, who want a place where they can be understood quickly, think clearly about what’s happening, and make meaningful changes in their work and relationships.

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I have a background as a senior leader and executive coach in the City and work regularly with senior professionals, executives, business partners and couples who are often high-functioning but find themselves dealing with something that their usual approach cannot solve. See separate pages for more on my relationship therapy and my work with professionals. 

 

I also work with actors and creatives, medical professionals, tradespeople, those between jobs, and people navigating significant life changes. What matters most is not background or profession, but a willingness to reflect on yourself and an openness to change.

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Many people come to me not with a specific problem to fix, but with a sense that something important is out of alignment - in their relationships, their work, or their sense of meaning and purpose.  

 

Other people come to me with a specific concern, including anxiety, burnout, betrayal or infidelity, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, depression, imposter syndrome, attention and focus difficulties, anger, panic, isolation, trauma and challenges related to work or major life transitions​.  I have also developed a niche of expertise working with professionals who have ADHD or suspected ADHD.

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Working Style

My approach is friendly, transparent, and research-informed. I work both online and face to face, and I offer counselling, psychotherapy, coaching, or a combination of these, shaped by what feels most appropriate for your situation rather than fitting you into a predetermined model.

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​​I am professional but down to earth. Our work will sometimes involve serious reflection, and at other times there may be lightness, humour, and relief. I am active and engaged, not simply a passive participant. There will be moments where listening carefully is central, and moments where I offer observations, challenges, or ideas that may help you make sense of what is happening and how it fits into the wider pattern of your life.

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Approach 

I start from the perspective that people make sense. The ways we feel, behave, and relate, even when they cause difficulty, have meaning that can be understood in the context of our history, our current circumstances, and our direction of growth.  Exploring and making sense of these elements and what they mean for your situation is an important part of my approach.  Another important aspect of my approach is helping you to turn those insights into real change.

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I use a variety of different ways of working and ideas to inform my approach.  For example, our work may be more analytical at times, more exploratory, imaginative, or relational at others. In addition, where it is useful, I also draw on ideas from neuroscience, psychology and related fields as tools for developing understanding and making meaning of what is going on for my clients. Whatever the approach, the intention is not simply to reduce symptoms, but to support genuine understanding, insight, and a more sustainable way of moving forward.

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Next Steps

Most people feel some uncertainty about beginning therapy or coaching, which is entirely normal. If you'd like to find out more before committing to anything, you're welcome to get in touch via WhatsApp or email with any questions.  If you decide to move forward we would arrange an initial consultation so that I can understand your situation better and we can get a sense of whether working together feels like the right fit.

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Education and Accreditations

• WPA private health recognised provider

• Vitality Health recognised provider

• Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

• BACP Accredited status, recognising enhanced experience and training

• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis, accredited by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

• Advanced Diploma in Couples Therapy accredited by COSRT, College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists

• Level 1 & 2 Gottman Method Couples Therapy / Couples Counselling Training

• Certificate in Groupwork - Gestalt and Psychodynamic 

• Member of the British Psychological Society and BPS Special Group in Coaching

• British Psychological Society, Qualified Specialist in Test Use

• Accredited to use a range of psychometric tools including:  Gottman Relationship Checkup, 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

• 20 years experience working in corporate leadership roles before retraining as a psychotherapist

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