Marina Polin

I currently have availability on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and early evenings.

My approach is relational and integrative. I understand emotional difficulties within the context of relationships, both past and present, and recognise that the therapeutic relationship provides a supportive foundation for understanding, reflection and change.

I will begin by listening carefully to understand what has brought you to therapy and what feels most important to you. Together, we can explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences in a collaborative way, at a pace that feels manageable. As our understanding develops, we may begin to notice patterns in how you experience yourself, relate to others and respond to life's challenges. By making sense of these patterns together, we can develop a deeper awareness of your experiences and explore new ways of responding to them. Over time, this can help you feel a greater sense of understanding, choice and agency.

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and finding the right therapist is an important part of the process. I offer a warm, welcoming space to explore your experiences, thoughts and feelings with curiosity and compassion.

I work with adults through psychotherapeutic counselling and with children through play therapy. With adults, therapy often involves exploring experiences through conversation, while children may communicate and process their feelings through play, creative activities and storytelling. In both approaches, I place importance on building a trusting relationship where you feel understood, respected and supported.

I work with a range of concerns, including anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, loss, life transitions, stress, questions around identity and experiences of feeling stuck or overwhelmed. I am also particularly interested in supporting people who are navigating questions of belonging, cultural identity, neurodiversity and major life changes.

I offer adult counselling sessions both in person in Brighton and online across the UK. Play therapy sessions are offered in person in Hove. Sessions last 50 minutes and are usually held weekly to provide consistency and continuity.

Having lived in both Switzerland and the UK, I understand that navigating different cultures and identities can bring both opportunities and challenges. I offer therapy in both English and German, if this feels more comfortable for you.

My aim is to create a therapeutic relationship where you can feel heard, accepted and supported as we work together towards greater understanding and meaningful change.

I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation before starting therapy. This is an opportunity for us to briefly meet, for you to share what has brought you to therapy, and for you to ask any questions you may have. It is also a chance to see whether you feel comfortable and whether working together feels like the right fit.

If you decide to continue, the first session is a longer opportunity for us to get to know one another and explore what you would like support with. I will invite you to share what feels important about your current situation, as well as any relevant experiences or relationships that may help us understand your concerns more fully. I will also explain how I work, answer any questions you may have and discuss practical aspects of therapy, such as confidentiality, session arrangements and what you can expect going forward.

You do not need to prepare anything specific before our first session. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we will begin by exploring what feels most meaningful and helpful for you.

For children, the initial process includes a parent/carer consultation to understand your child’s needs, background and what has led you to seek support. This helps us think together about how play therapy may best support your child.