Counselling in Bolton & Online for Anxiety, Overwhelm & Women’s Wellbeing
You're used to holding everything together, but lately things just feel harder.
Maybe your mind rarely switches off. There's always something to think about, someone who needs you, or another problem to sort out.
You may be used to getting on with things and looking after everyone else. But perhaps you are worrying more, feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, and wondering why you don't quite feel like yourself.
Sometimes, when you've spent so long putting other people's needs first, it can be difficult to know what you need for yourself.
Counselling can help you make sense of the anxiety and overwhelm, recognise patterns such as overthinking and people-pleasing, and begin to make changes that help life feel more manageable.
I offer counselling in Bolton and online, with a particular focus on anxiety and women's emotional wellbeing. Sometimes there's more going on than anxiety alone, and together we can explore what may be contributing to how you are feeling.
When everything starts to feel too much.
Hello, I’m Vicky Martin
I'm Vicky Martin, a qualified person-centred counsellor based in Bolton. I'm also trained in CBT, so I can draw on practical tools and psychoeducation when they may help, while keeping our work centred around you.
My approach is warm, calm and down-to-earth. Clients often tell me they feel understood and able to talk openly about what is really going on, sometimes saying, “Yes, you've got it — that's exactly how it feels.”
Alongside anxiety and emotional wellbeing, I have particular experience and training around women's reproductive and mental health, including perimenopause and menopause, pregnancy and baby loss, and the perinatal period. I also have experience working with neurodivergent clients, including autism and ADHD, as well as those who are beginning to explore whether they may be neurodivergent.
How counselling can support you:
Everyday Struggles
Many people I work with describe feeling:
Stuck, lost, or constantly on edge
Racing thoughts and “what ifs” that never switch off
Panic, a tight chest, or feeling numb
Pressure to keep everything together, even when it feels impossible
Guilt or shame — “I should be coping, I don’t know why I can’t handle this”
Counselling gives you a calm, supportive place to pause and make sense of what is happening. It can help you notice what is in your control, and what you can begin to let go of.
Support Through Women’s Health and Life Changes
Alongside general counselling, I have a particular interest in supporting women through health and life changes, including:
Pregnancy and birth
Perinatal mental health challenges, including postnatal depression and anxiety
Menopause and the emotional shifts it can bring
Grief and adjustment after pregnancy loss or bereavement
I also support people facing:
The exhaustion of caregiving
Living with long-term health conditions
The impact of trauma or sudden life events
Counselling offers a place where you do not have to manage these challenges alone.
A Gentle First Step Towards Support
Starting counselling can feel like a big decision, but it begins with something simple — a conversation.
I offer a free 20-minute consultation where you can talk about what is going on, ask questions, and get a feel for whether this support feels right for you.