Marina Polin

I work from the belief that we make sense of ourselves through our relationships, experiences and the stories we carry about who we are. Sometimes these ways of relating no longer serve us, leaving us feeling stuck, overwhelmed or disconnected from ourselves and others. My approach is collaborative, thoughtful and led by curiosity rather than judgement. I listen closely to what is being said, while also paying attention to feelings, patterns and experiences that may be more difficult to put into words. Together, we can gradually build a deeper understanding of what lies beneath recurring difficulties and consider new ways of responding. With adults, this process takes place through conversation and reflection, at a pace that feels right for you. With children, I integrate talking, play and creative approaches, recognising that play can be a natural way of expressing feelings and making sense of experiences. Where appropriate, I also work alongside parents and carers, helping them to better understand their child's emotional world and strengthen connection within the family. Above all, I aim to offer a therapeutic relationship in which you or your child can feel listened to, understood and accepted, creating the conditions for greater self-awareness, resilience and lasting change.

I am an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor and a play therapist with experience supporting adults, children and families in counselling services, schools, nurseries and care settings. My work is informed by relational, attachment-based and emotion-focused approaches, alongside an understanding of child development and family dynamics. I have worked with people experiencing anxiety, low mood, loss, relationship difficulties, life transitions, identity questions and the lasting impact of early experiences. Alongside my clinical work, I continue to work within an early years setting, giving me an ongoing understanding of children's emotional and developmental worlds.