Gentle Connections Counselling in Bolton and Online
A calm and compassionate counselling space, supporting you through anxiety, low mood, overwhelm, trauma, loss and life’s challenges.
Life rarely goes as planned. Some days it feels manageable, and other days it can feel like you are running on empty — anxious, low, overwhelmed, or carrying more than you can manage alone.
At Gentle Connections Counselling, I offer a down-to-earth place where you can talk openly, make sense of what you are going through, and find ways forward that feel right for you.
Whether you are coping with anxiety, low mood, grief, burnout, or simply a sense that something is not quite right, counselling can help you feel less weighed down and more in touch with yourself.
Support tailored to you, face-to-face, online, or by phone.
Vicky Martin
Hello, I am Vicky Martin, a qualified person-centred counsellor based in Bolton. I work face-to-face, online, and by telephone, offering flexible support to fit around your life.
Clients often tell me they feel understood in our sessions, sometimes saying, “yes, you’ve got it — that’s exactly how it feels.” My calm, down-to-earth approach helps people talk about what’s really going on, without pressure or judgment.
I am drawn to counselling because I value being alongside people when life feels overwhelming — helping them untangle difficult feelings and discover they are not alone in what they are facing.
Many of the people I work with have spent years holding everything together, always being the strong one. Counselling can be a place to put that weight down for a while, and to notice what is in your control and what is not.
I work with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief, burnout, and life changes. Together, we go at your pace, making sense of your experiences and finding a way forward that feels right for you.
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.