Individual Counselling and Psychotherapy in Milton Keynes
Counselling that works with your mind and your body – with particular experience helping men and people under pressure at work.
Counselling for Individuals in Milton Keynes (MK10) and Online
Welcome to Three Oaks Therapy
If you’re running on empty — stressed, anxious, or unable to switch off even when you finally stop — you’re not alone, and there’s nothing wrong with you.
Often what's happening is simpler than it feels: your body has its own ways of trying to keep you safe, and sometimes it gets stuck "switched on" — the racing mind, the constant alertness, the exhaustion. Other times it works the other way, and you find yourself "checked out" — pulling back, going quiet, wanting to disappear from everyone and everything. Either way, it's a nervous system working overtime, not a personal failing.
I'm Martin. In our sessions we won't just talk about what's troubling you — we'll also gently help your body learn that it's safe to settle. As that happens, it gets easier to think clearly, sleep better, and feel connected to the people around you again.
Before counselling, I spent years working in IT, so I know first-hand the pressure modern life and work can put on a person. I offer a safe, judgement-free space for anyone — with particular experience supporting men, who often find it hardest to reach out.
I work one-to-one with individuals — this isn't something I offer as couples or family counselling. But if you're navigating relationship difficulties on your own, that's very much something we can explore together.
We can meet in person or online, whichever feels more comfortable.
Wondering if counselling might help? You’re welcome to book a free 20-minute chat, online or in person. No commitment – just a conversation to see if we’re a good fit.
★★★★★ Rated 5.0 on Google from 18 reviews – read them here
How can counselling help?
Counselling gives you a confidential space to slow down and make sense of what’s going on. Together we look at the patterns that keep you stuck and find practical ways to change them, at a pace that feels right for you.
What is Pluralistic Counselling?
I’m trained in pluralistic counselling, which means there’s no one-size-fits-all method. We draw on different approaches and choose together what works best for you, because you’re the expert on your own life.
Understanding Your Nervous System with Polyvagal Theory
Stress can leave your body stuck on high alert or shut down and running on empty. Drawing on Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges), we work out what your nervous system is doing and help it settle, so you can feel calmer, think more clearly and connect more easily.
Working with me
My goal is to help you achieve lasting mental health by understanding and overcoming the challenges you face. I am Pluralistically trained and Polyvagal-informed, which means I have a flexible, evidence-based approach tailored to your individual needs, all while upholding the high standards of The National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society.
In our safe and confidential sessions, we'll explore your experiences together. I believe in a unified approach where I work alongside you, offering guidance and support without dictating your path. You are the authority on your own experience, and my role is to help you uncover your inner resources and make positive changes.
To support your journey, I draw on a range of approaches to help you make sense of your emotions and support nervous system regulation, choosing together what fits you best.
Person-Centred Therapy
Polyvagal-Informed Therapy
Transactional Analysis (TA)
CBT and REBT
Parts Work
Mindfulness and somatic tools
Issues I can help with
I work one-to-one with individuals. Here are some of the things people often bring:
Stress and burnout – work pressure, feeling overwhelmed, running on empty, not being able to switch off
Anxiety and panic – constant worry, feeling on edge, panic attacks
Low mood and loss – depression, bereavement, loss, feeling flat or disconnected
Relationships and self-worth – relationship difficulties you’re working through on your own, confidence, self-esteem
Anger and coping – anger, addiction, and feeling stuck in fight, flight or shutdown
Men’s mental health – a space for men who find it hard to talk or don’t know where to start
Past experiences – the effects of abuse or difficult experiences that still affect you today
If you don’t see what you’re struggling with here, please get in touch and we can talk about whether we could work together.
About Me
My journey to becoming a counsellor began in a surprising place: nearly 20 years in IT leadership. The part of the job I valued most was coaching and mentoring colleagues, and over time I realised I wanted to help people on a more personal level.
I left the corporate world to study psychology and counselling, and qualified as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor in 2022. Working at Northamptonshire Mind, volunteering, and my role as a Learning Support Assistant in a special educational needs school have all deepened my understanding of how differently people experience the world, and what helps them feel safe enough to change.
I have been in private practice since 2022. I’m an NCPS Accredited Counsellor and a Polyvagal-Informed Practitioner, which means our work pays attention to your body as well as your thoughts and feelings. Together we create a space where your nervous system can begin to settle.
Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, low mood, past experiences that still affect you, or simply want to understand yourself better, I’m here to support you towards healing and resilience.
Qualifications and Credentials
- NCPS Accredited Counsellor
- Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (Chrysalis)
- Polyvagal-Informed Practitioner
- AIM Qualifications Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- AIM Qualifications Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
- Remote Facilitation Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
- Diploma in Parts Therapy Negotiation
- Certificate in Awareness of Men’s Mental Health Problems (Level 2)
- Certificate in Understanding Autism (Level 2)
- Enhanced DBS checked; safeguarding trained
Testimonials
Counselling in Milton Keynes: Location and Fees
Counselling:
Free initial consultation: A no-obligation conversation to discuss your needs and see if we're a good fit.
Session fee: £60 — This is my standard rate for a 55-minute session, in-person or online.
Reduced fees: I offer a limited number of lower-cost sessions for those who are unwaged or on a low income. Please get in touch to discuss what's possible.
Location
Looking for a counsellor near you in Milton Keynes? I work from a private, comfortable practice room in Broughton Gate, Milton Keynes (MK10), just 5 minutes from junction 14 of the M1. Clients come to me from across Milton Keynes, including Broughton, Brooklands, Kingston, Monkston, Oakgrove, Middleton, Kents Hill, Wavendon and Woburn Sands, as well as Newport Pagnell, Bedford, Northampton, Buckingham, Leighton Buzzard and Luton. There is parking outside, and the nearest bus stop is a 5-minute walk away. I also offer online sessions anywhere in the UK.
Frequently asked questions about counselling in Milton Keynes
How do I find the right counsellor in Milton Keynes?
The most important thing is how it feels to talk to the person. Research suggests the relationship between you and your counsellor makes more difference than any particular method. That’s why I offer a free 20-minute chat before we book anything – you can ask questions, get a sense of how I work, and decide with no pressure.
It’s also worth checking that a counsellor is properly qualified. I hold a Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and I’m an NCPS Accredited Counsellor, which means I work to the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society’s code of ethics and have regular clinical supervision. I’m also enhanced DBS checked, and I’ve been in private practice since 2022.
What is polyvagal-informed counselling?
It’s counselling that pays attention to your nervous system as well as your thoughts and feelings. In our sessions we talk, and we also notice what your body is doing, using simple grounding, breathing and orienting practices so it can gradually learn that it’s safe to settle. It isn’t a separate type of therapy so much as a lens I bring to our work, and you stay in charge of the pace. Find out more about polyvagal-informed counselling.
Where are sessions held?
In-person sessions are at Broughton Gate, Milton Keynes MK10 – close to Kingston, Brooklands, Monkston, Oakgrove, Middleton and Wavendon, and an easy journey from Woburn Sands and Newport Pagnell. I also offer online sessions to anyone in the UK.
How long is a session, and how often will we meet?
Each session is booked for an hour, with 55 minutes of therapy. Most people find that weekly sessions work best, especially at the start, because a steady rhythm helps you build momentum and gives your nervous system a chance to settle. We check in regularly to make sure counselling is helping, and we can adjust as things change.
How much does counselling cost?
Sessions are £60, in person or online, and the first 20-minute chat is free. I also offer a limited number of lower-cost sessions for people who are unwaged or on a low income – please get in touch to talk about what’s possible.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. What you share in our sessions stays between us. There are a small number of limits, which I’ll go through with you at the start of our first session: for example, if I believed you or someone else were at serious risk of harm, or if the law required me to share information. Wherever possible, I would talk to you first.
Like all NCPS counsellors, I have regular clinical supervision, where I may discuss our work without sharing anything that identifies you. Any notes I keep are brief and stored securely.
What happens when I get in touch?
Send me a message through the enquiry form, email or phone. I’ll get back to you to arrange the free 20-minute chat, and if we both feel it’s a good fit, we’ll book a first session at a time that suits you.
What happens in the first session?
There’s no waiting list, so your first session can usually be booked soon after our free chat.
In the first session we go through the counselling contract together. I’ll explain how we can work together in the room, and how confidentiality and safeguarding work. Then I’ll ask a couple of questions to help get the conversation started. There’s no pressure to share anything until you’re ready.
Do you work with couples?
No – I work with individuals only, which lets me give each person my full attention.
Do you work with children or young people under 18?
No – I work with adults aged 18 and over only.
Ready to take the first step?
Send me a message and we’ll arrange a free 20-minute chat, online or in person, to talk about what’s brought you here and whether I’m the right counsellor for you. Prefer to talk first? Call or leave a message on 07368 155 826.
I’m not able to respond to messages urgently. If you’re in crisis, please call NHS 111 (option 2 for mental health), contact Samaritans free on 116 123, or call 999 in an emergency.