James Martin
Counsellor in Bristol

Feeling stuck is more common than you might think. Your thoughts are piling up, and it feels like the harder you try to sort them out, the more tangled they become.

It's natural to cling on to old stuff because it feels safe or familiar, or perhaps you can't quite pinpoint what's up. Learning how to shift our thinking and choosing a new lens to see the world through can be both exciting and daunting.

These moments often show up disguised as stress, a sense of being overwhelmed, or feeling low. There might be signs physically and mentally, telling you it's time for something different.

You might also be searching for a new playlist for your mind, wondering if it's even possible as everything seems to be stuck on loop.

I've been there, both personally and professionally at times during my commercial and therapy career of more than 25 years. I've experienced the ups and downs and worked through them, just like you.

My clients come from all walks of life—elite athletes, executives, everyday professionals, entrepreneurs, and young adults just starting out. We're all unique, but we're all human, too. We've all got our own stories, instincts, and needs.

I don't make lofty promises. I prefer to let the work speak for itself. Seeing clients grasp the changes they want to make, put in the developmental work and make the changes stick is the biggest reward. It makes me proud.

When we sit down together, it's about you and what you're ready to leave behind. In our sessions, expect a safe, easy space to talk. It's about listening to you, and helping you develop insights that are clear and actionable.

Let's start a conversation about how to get your mind on your side. It is your most powerful tool, and I can help you get it working for you. There's a whole lot you can change when you're ready.

Be brave and get in touch today about how I can help you.

Background & Counselling Qualifications

FND Degree - Counselling - University of Portsmouth
NZLE - Conversion Qualifications to practise Law in New Zealand
College of Law - Legal Practice Course (Post Degree qualification) to practise Law in England and Wales (London)
LLB Law Degree - University of Manchester

My Specialisms

Anger
Anger / Aggression
Anger / Anger management
Anger / Passive aggressive behaviour

Anxiety
Anxiety / stress
Anxiety / Agoraphobia
Anxiety / Acute stress
Anxiety / Death
Anxiety / Financial
×
Anxiety / Generalised
×
Anxiety / Health
Anxiety / Panic attacks
Anxiety / Performance
Anxiety / Separation
Anxiety / Social anxiety disorder
Anxiety / Social phobia
Anxiety / Specific phobia
Anxiety / Stress management

Education
Education / Exam pressure
School/academic performance

Identity
Identity / Identity crisis
Men's issues

Personal
Personal / Bitterness
Personal / Boundary setting
Personal / Childhood related
Personal / Confidence
Personal / Feeling lost
Personal / Goal setting
Personal / Guilt
Personal / Jealousy
Personal / Lack of focus
Personal / Life transition
Personal / Life coaching
Personal / Manipulative behaviour
Personal / Mid life crisis
Personal / Motivation
Personal / Nervous breakdown
Personal / Personal development
Personal / Self esteem
Personal / Shyness
Personal / Spirituality
Personal / Sports performance
Personal / Victim mentality
Personal / Procrastination

Relationships
Relationships / Abandonment
Affairs / infidelity
Relationships / Attachment issues
Breakups, divorce and separation
Relationships / Codependency
Relationships / Communication difficulties
Relationships / Doubt in relationships
Relationships / Intimacy
Relationships / Marriage problems
Relationships / Peer relationships
Relationships / Rejection

Work
Work / Career progress
Work / Leadership
Work / Mediation
Work / Workplace bullying
Work / Workplace stress
Work / Workplace performance

Approach to Counselling & How I Work

We all deserve to experience the power of understanding who we are, what drives us and how we relate to the world and the people in it. Helping others achieve this led me to co-founding Therapy Owls. Over 15 years working as a corporate lawyer solving complicated problems for others was rewarding but not inspirational. I found something more by helping others move from stuck to free.

I focus on meeting you where you are and not coming to the relationship or any session with a fixed mindset or a solution. You have the solution and my role is to provide the environment and the conditions for you to explore for those answers. I work collaboratively and also often workshop issues to try and provide some practical context as to how you can apply them in your life.

Over the years and in my therapy, I'm consistently told I'm calm, knowledgeable and provide an insightful perspective. My approach is grounded in technical expertise but blended with over 30 years of professional and lived experience of sharing what actually makes a difference and working together to make it happen.

Therapies & Rates

Please note the rates detailed below are there to give you an idea of the therapists standard rates, we strongly advise you contact the therapist for more detailed rates and any offers they may have.

Therapy	Appointment Type	Rate
Psychotherapy	In Person	£65 per 60 minutes
Psychotherapy	Online/Telephone	£65 per 60 minutes
Counselling	In Person	£65 per 60 minutes
Counselling	Online/Telephone	£65 per 60 minutes
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy	In Person	£65 per 60 minutes
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy	Online/Telephone	£65 per 60 minutes
Life Coaching	In Person	£85 per 60 minutes
Life Coaching	Online/Telephone	£85 per 60 minutes

Additional Rate Information

My life coaching is solution based concentrating on unlocking potential and focuses on achieving a balance between fulfillment and high performance. It is not based on general self help principles you can find anywhere but on an evidence-based approach that will move you from being stuck to free and fully engaged in your life choices and relationships. I also draw on my extensive business experience to offer Business and Leadership Coaching across a range of areas such as Purpose, Values, Habits, Continues Improvement, Productivity, Imposter Syndrome, Balance, Team Dynamics and Leadership. Please make contact if you want to discuss how these or other areas I cover can help unlock your business potential by addressing issues impacting in the work environment which overlap with challenges you may be facing.