Martha Cheesman, BACP

Martha Cheesman is a BACP counsellor who supports people facing addiction, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, depression, anxiety and stress. She also helps with grief, intimacy and self-esteem concerns. Martha works in both English and Spanish and accepts international clients.

She approaches therapy in a straightforward, human way. Sessions focus on what is happening now and what the person wants to change. Martha listens, asks direct questions and helps people identify small steps they can try between sessions. She places strong emphasis on a person's sense of worth and on building purpose and self‑compassion.

Her practice draws on attachment-based ideas to understand how early relationships shape current patterns. Client-centred methods guide the pace and focus of work so people feel heard and respected. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques are used when helpful to identify thoughts and behaviours that keep problems going.

Martha has worked in the field for ten years in a specialised capacity and brings experience with many different cultures and life stages. She blends practical strategies with moments of reflection, including existential questions about meaning when those arise. Trauma-informed thinking and mindfulness practices are included when needed.

Typical sessions cover clear goals, practical coping tools and ways to improve communication and emotional connection. Outside sessions she encourages small experiments - such as brief routines, communication changes or self-care practices - to test what helps. The overall aim is steady, manageable change so people feel more able to cope and make choices that suit their life.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Attachment-based work looks at how early relationships shape current patterns. Online sessions can use discussion and reflective exercises to identify those patterns and try different ways of relating. Client-centred therapy focuses on listening and adapting to the person's pace and concerns, which transfers naturally to video or phone work where the counsellor follows the client's lead.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) brings practical tools for unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. In online sessions Martha can teach straightforward exercises, homework tasks and tracking tools that people can use between meetings to test what changes help. These methods are often useful for anxiety, depression, stress and some relationship issues.

Choosing the right approach is a joint process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences in early sessions and adjust methods as work progresses. That collaborative planning helps decide whether more reflective, experiential or skills-based work is best for the person.

Online formats offer flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and non-verbal cues. Phone sessions can fit into a short break or suit someone avoiding video. Live chat or text-based messaging makes it easier to check in between meetings or when written reflection helps. These options make it simpler to schedule sessions around work, caregiving or travel while keeping continuity of care.