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
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 adults, including men and women with autism or ADHD, as well as those awaiting assessment, self-identifying, or beginning to explore whether they may be neurodivergent.
Counselling for Anxiety, Overthinking and Overwhelm
Anxiety can show up in different ways. You might find yourself constantly worrying, imagining worst-case scenarios, or going over things in your mind again and again. Perhaps you struggle to switch off, even when you have time to relax.
You may be feeling under pressure, doubting yourself or finding it difficult to say no. You might recognise patterns of people-pleasing, putting yourself last or feeling responsible for everyone else's happiness.
Through counselling, we can explore what's behind these feelings and begin to understand the patterns that may be keeping you stuck. Together, we can find ways to manage anxiety, build confidence, and make everyday life feel a little easier.
Counselling for Women's Mental Health and Life Changes
Different stages of life can bring emotional and physical changes that aren't always easy to understand or navigate.
I offer counselling for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause, anxiety or low mood during pregnancy or after birth, including postnatal anxiety and depression. I also support women experiencing fertility difficulties, pregnancy and baby loss, and other significant changes in their lives, relationships and sense of identity.
With my background in reproductive health and additional training in these areas, I understand how closely our emotional wellbeing can be connected to what is happening in our bodies and our lives.
Whatever you're facing, you don't have to work through it all on your own. Counselling offers a place to talk openly, feel understood, and begin to find your way forward.
Counselling for Autism, ADHD and Neurodivergence
Living with autism or ADHD can sometimes bring challenges that other people don't always see or understand. You may experience sensory overwhelm, anxiety, low self-esteem, or a sense of not quite fitting in. For some, experiences of bullying, rejection, or feeling misunderstood can have a lasting impact.
I have experience supporting men and women with autism and ADHD, including those with a diagnosis, those who self-identify, and those beginning to explore whether they may be neurodivergent. I have also supported clients throughout the assessment process and afterwards, as they explore what a diagnosis means for them.
Counselling offers space to explore these experiences and understand how they may be affecting you. We can also look at practical ways to manage sensory overwhelm, develop grounding strategies, and build confidence, working in a way that recognises your individual needs.
Taking the First Step
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 tell me a little about what has brought you to counselling, ask any questions, and see whether working together feels right for you.