Marta Bannister Counselling
Therapeutic Counsellor - Online in Wallington, Beddington and across England
I help people navigate moments when their understanding of themselves is changing.
When life changes, you can lose your sense of who you are.
You might be grieving a loss, making sense of neurodivergence, navigating perimenopause, or facing another significant life change.
Perhaps the life that once felt familiar no longer fits quite as comfortably. Maybe you're questioning parts of yourself, struggling with changes you didn't expect, or wondering what comes next.
Counselling can offer a space to explore what's changed, reconnect with yourself, and find your footing again.
Online counselling across England
Free 20-minute introductory call
Perhaps you're carrying questions that don't have easy answers
You may find yourself wondering:
- Why does everything feel so different?
- Why can't I cope in the way I used to?
- Why do I feel disconnected from myself?
- Have I changed, or am I only just beginning to understand myself differently?
- How do I move forward when life no longer looks the way I expected?
Sometimes these questions emerge after a bereavement or relationship ending.
Sometimes they follow an autism or ADHD diagnosis.
Sometimes they arise during perimenopause or other significant life transitions.
Whatever has brought you here, you don't have to navigate it alone.
Areas I Work With
Loss & Grief
When someone dies, a relationship ends, or life unfolds differently than expected, grief can affect much more than your emotions. It can leave you questioning your place in the world and the future you imagined.
Neurodivergence & Self-Understanding
Whether you're newly diagnosed, self-identifying, or exploring the possibility that you may be autistic, ADHD or AuDHD, counselling can provide space to make sense of your experiences and develop a more compassionate understanding of yourself.
Midlife & Identity Changes
Perimenopause and other midlife transitions can bring unexpected changes to your body, emotions, relationships and sense of self. What once worked may no longer work in the same way, leaving you feeling uncertain about who you are and what you need.
Life Transitions
Career changes, illness, retirement, separation, becoming a parent, children leaving home, caring responsibilities and other significant changes can all affect how we see ourselves and our place in the world.
A space where you don't have to pretend you're coping
One of the things many people tell me is that they spend much of their lives trying to hold everything together.
Perhaps you're used to being the capable one.
The person others rely on.
The one who keeps going.
Therapy offers a different kind of space.
A space where you don't need to perform, explain everything perfectly, or have the answers.
Together we can explore your experiences at your pace, making sense of what's happened and what matters to you now.
Hi, I'm Marta
I'm an integrative counsellor offering online counselling to adults across England, and locally in Beddington & Wallington.
My work is particularly focused on supporting people who are navigating significant changes in their lives and sense of self.
This may include grief and loss, neurodivergence, perimenopause, or other life transitions that leave you feeling uncertain, disconnected or unlike yourself.
Alongside my professional training, I bring curiosity, compassion and an understanding that there is no single "right" way to experience change.
What You Can Expect
Starting therapy can be nerve wracking, whether this is the first time you're trying it, or whether you've experienced it before.
Here is what you can expect from therapy sessions with me:
I welcome you just as you are.
You are unique. Whatever you choose to talk about, that's okay. Would you prefer to doodle or sing? That's all okay. Do you want listen to your favourite song to help you start? Great! Let's do it. Do you just want to sit in silence for a bit? That's okay too, its your choice how we work together.
Don't stress about swear words.
You are welcome to express yourself with the words that work best for you. I'm not bothered by swear words so if they help you to describe how you feel or share your experiences, go for it.
All feelings are okay.
You might not be sure whether certain feelings or emotions will be accepted, if they are said out loud. You might have experience of feeling judged or being punished for feeling certain way. In counselling sessions with me you can express all emotions and feelings you experience; yes, all of them. Equally, if feelings and emotions aren't something you are used to expressing or identifying, we can explore it together. You are not expected to be fully versed with every emotion, but I invite you to join me in the exploration.
To cry or not to cry?
It is one of those wonderings - Am I expected to cry? How much crying is acceptable? Am I allowed to not cry? My answer to this is: you do what feels right for you. I've experienced sessions with loads of tears and ones that were completely tearless. And if you want to cry but feel uncomfortable, ashamed, embarrassed, we can explore it too.
Honesty with compassion, not judgement.
One of the things I believe are important in therapy is being honest and real. Because if I'm not real, how can I expect you to trust me to be yourself? I am not an expert and will never pretend to be because this doesn't serve your healing. I can assure you, though, that I will be walking by your side in whatever direction you choose to go. And while I do not advise on what you "should" do, we can explore the meaning of your experiences and, supported, you can find your best way forward.
Adapting to your needs.
These sessions are yours and as such I aim to adapt to what you might need to feel safe and comfortable. Do you want to use fidget toys? Or perhaps you need your lighting adjusted? Do you prefer to have a recap of the last session at the start of the next one? Are there any items that bring you comfort that you would like to have with you? Or any stimming behaviours you find comforting? Let me know and let's talk about it.
Practical Information
© Marta Bannister
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