Irene Martin Alvarez, NCPS

Irene Martin Alvarez is a psychotherapeutic practitioner with a background in several specialised training programs and hands-on experience supporting people through trauma, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, and life changes. She is a registered member of NPCN and UKCP and also holds NCPS. Her formal training includes an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling in Transactional Analysis - an advanced clinical qualification focused on understanding interpersonal patterns - as well as a Foundation Ecotherapy Transactional Analysis Certificate and a Redecision Marathon completion certificate with Mil Rosseau. She has completed a year course in Complex Trauma Stress Studies at PESI and holds Level 2 and 3 Person-Centred Counselling Certificates from Bury College.

Irene has worked in partnership with the police and a national charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse, and she contributed to a programme run jointly by the UNHCR and the Home Office to assist survivors of trauma and persecution. Her practice includes supporting people with depression, anxiety and panic, communication problems, grief, attachment and abandonment issues, and challenges related to self-worth and relationships. She also has experience with neurodiverse clients and with people who identify as part of the LGBT+ community.

She approaches therapy from the belief that each person is the expert on their own story and brings strengths to the process. Irene offers a welcoming, exploratory space for growth and self-understanding, and she tailors sessions to each individual rather than using a one-size-fits-all method. Therapy with her aims to support clients in taking courageous steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Practical therapeutic approaches for online care

Irene draws on a small set of evidence-informed approaches to tailor support to each person. Person-Centred therapy focuses on creating an empathic, non-directive space where clients are encouraged to explore their feelings and build self-understanding; it is useful for issues like low self-esteem, life transitions, and general emotional distress. Transactional Analysis (TA) examines patterns in how people relate to themselves and others - helping clients identify repetitive interaction styles and develop healthier communication in relationships. Work informed by Complex Trauma studies concentrates on understanding how prolonged or repeated trauma can affect mood, behaviour, and relationships, and offers gentle strategies for managing symptoms such as panic, hypervigilance, and emotional overwhelm.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Irene works collaboratively with clients to clarify goals, test different methods, and adjust the plan based on what feels most helpful. She sees therapy as a partnership that honours each person’s preferences and strengths.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility for people with busy schedules, mobility limits, or those who prefer remote access. These options make it easier to maintain consistency in care, fit sessions into everyday life, and access registered professionals from wherever the client is located within the service area.