Martin Firstbrook
BA (Hons), PgDP, MBACP (Accred)
About
A lifetime being curious about the human condition. When I was nine, I bought "a little book of wisdom", which I stumbled across in a bookstore. In my teens I found myself drawn to philosophy - I wasn't sure why, and I'm not sure I understood most of it (!), but I was drawn to it. That curiosity never left me.
After some early career searching, I eventually found somewhere to apply that interest directly. I subsequently spent 20 years working in and leading Leadership Development and HR functions within financial services, including board level positions at some of the City's most prominent organisations. During that time, I also formally trained and worked as an executive coach, which led to a period of my career where I was regularly assessing and coaching leaders and investors in Europe, Asia, the US and Africa.
That experience, during a period where I was personally bringing up young children and trying to protect some time for myself, gave me a deep understanding of the interface between personal and workplace challenges, and the toll that demanding careers can take. During this time working with many senior people in coaching contexts, I ultimately came to see coaching as somewhat limited in situations where people knew what to do, but simply could not do it (myself included...), which led me to retrain as a psychotherapist.
I now bring both worlds together - the pragmatism of my corporate background with the depth and insight of psychotherapy. I work as a psychotherapist, couples counsellor and executive coach from my practice in Epsom, Surrey, and online. I also continue to coach senior executives and investors at some of the world's largest financial services companies.
Martin Firstbrook
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.
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.
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 is an important part of my approach. Equally important is helping you turn those insights into real change.
I use a variety of ways of working. Our sessions may be more analytical at times, more exploratory, imaginative, or relational at others. Where it is useful, I also draw on ideas from neuroscience, psychology and related fields as tools for developing understanding. 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.
Education and Qualifications
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
BACP Accredited status, recognising enhanced experience and training
Advanced Diploma in Couples Therapy accredited by COSRT, College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis, accredited by BACP and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
Member of the British Psychological Society and BPS Special Group in Coaching
Meyler Campbell Business Coach Programme, accredited by the World Association of Business Coaches
Level 1 & 2 Gottman Method Couples Therapy Training
Certificate in Groupwork — Gestalt and Psychodynamic
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; Neo PI-R; MBTI; BeTalent Strengths, Values and Decision Making Style