PLYMOUTH Counselling & Supervision services
Compassionate counselling tailored to your needs
A Warm Welcome
Danya Martoglio, Counsellor & Supervisor PG (dip) MBACP (Accred.)
Danya Martoglio, Counsellor & Supervisor PG (dip) MBACP (Accred.)
Danya Martoglio, Counsellor & Supervisor PG (dip) MBACP (Accred.)
A Calm, Confidential Space
At Ancora Counselling, I offer a calm, supportive space where you can talk openly, understand what you’re experiencing and find a way forward.
The name Ancora means “anchor” in Italian. For me, it reflects something at the heart of counselling: having the opportunity to pause, find your bearings and reconnect with
A Calm, Confidential Space
At Ancora Counselling, I offer a calm, supportive space where you can talk openly, understand what you’re experiencing and find a way forward.
The name Ancora means “anchor” in Italian. For me, it reflects something at the heart of counselling: having the opportunity to pause, find your bearings and reconnect with yourself when life feels unsettled.
With over 20 years’ counselling experience, I have worked with the NHS, Relate, universities, schools and private clients. I support people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, relationship difficulties, burnout, bullying, health concerns and life transitions.
A Personalised Approach
I believe you are the expert in your own life. My approach is tailored to you, drawing on evidence-based therapies including Person-Centred Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, CBT, ACT, Solution-Focused Therapy and Transactional Analysis.
Where helpful, I may also incorporate mindfulness, relaxation and creative exploration. I am a trained Mindfulness teacher.
A Little About Me
I was born and raised in London and now live in the beautiful ocean city of Plymouth.
In my younger years, I worked as a teacher in Italy and Spain and spent an extended period volunteering at a school in the Himalayas.
Together with my family life and professional experience, these experiences have given me a deep appreciation of both the diversity of human experience and the shared humanity that connects us. I speak Italian and Spanish, although I practise counselling in English.
Outside my private practice and NHS work supporting oncology patients and their families, I enjoy walking our cheeky rescue dog, cuddling the cats, and practising yoga and meditation.
I also enjoy nature photography and spending time in the great outdoors. You can see some of my photos on Instagram using the link below.
Counselling Supervision in Plymouth & online
Danya Martoglio, Counsellor & Supervisor PG (dip) MBACP (Accred.)
Danya Martoglio, Counsellor & Supervisor PG (dip) MBACP (Accred.)
Supervision for Counsellors
I offer clinical supervision to counsellors and therapists at all stages of their professional journey, from trainees and newly qualified practitioners to experienced colleagues seeking a fresh perspective or space for deeper reflection.
My aim is for supervision to be both reflective and practical - a place whe
Supervision for Counsellors
I offer clinical supervision to counsellors and therapists at all stages of their professional journey, from trainees and newly qualified practitioners to experienced colleagues seeking a fresh perspective or space for deeper reflection.
My aim is for supervision to be both reflective and practical - a place where you can bring uncertainty or difficult work without judgement, recognise what is going well and leave with greater clarity about your next steps.
I particularly enjoy mentoring practitioners as they find their own voice and develop their professional identity, while also welcoming experienced counsellors who value a fresh perspective and the opportunity to work at relational depth.
My Approach
My supervision is relational and pluralistic, drawing flexibly on Person-Centred Therapy, CBT, ACT, Psychodynamic approaches and Transactional Analysis. I also use the Seven-Eyed Model to explore the different dimensions of therapeutic work, including the client, the therapeutic relationship, the wider context and your own experience as the practitioner.
I welcome exploration of ethical dilemmas, countertransference and difficult emotional responses, as well as questions around meaning, values and professional identity. Where helpful, we may also use creative or somatic approaches to open up different perspectives.
Experience
I bring over 20 years’ counselling experience across the NHS, Relate, universities, schools and private practice. I have established counselling services within educational settings, worked alongside Child Protection Teams and currently provide supervision to NHS staff working in oncology.
I hold an Advanced Diploma in Clinical Supervision and am a Registered and Accredited Member of BACP. I welcome supervisees from private practice, health, education and other organisational settings, offering supervision in Plymouth and online throughout the UK.
Interested in Supervision?
I offer a free, informal 30-minute telephone or video conversation if you would like to explore whether my approach is right for you, with no obligation to continue.
Client Promise - CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLING & Therapy
Danya Martoglio, Counsellor & Supervisor PG (dip) MBACP (Accred.)
Client Promise - CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELLING & Therapy
What to Expect
Starting counselling can feel like a big step, and it’s natural to feel unsure at first.
Our first session is a chance to meet and get a sense of whether working together feels right for you. There is no pressure to share anything before you’re ready.
You may want to talk about what has brought you here, how things have been r
What to Expect
Starting counselling can feel like a big step, and it’s natural to feel unsure at first.
Our first session is a chance to meet and get a sense of whether working together feels right for you. There is no pressure to share anything before you’re ready.
You may want to talk about what has brought you here, how things have been recently, or what you hope to gain from counselling. I will listen, answer any questions you may have and help you understand what the process might look like.
There is no “right” way to begin — just bringing yourself is enough.
Sessions may be short-term or longer-term, depending on your needs. I offer confidential counselling in person in Plymouth, as well as online counselling across the UK, for adults, young people and couples.
Confidentiality
What you share in counselling is treated as confidential. There are some important limits, particularly where there is a serious concern about your safety or the safety of someone else. We will discuss these boundaries at the beginning so that you understand how confidentiality works.
You are always free to decide whether counselling feels right for you and how many sessions you would like. Even one session can be a valuable first step.
I understand that reaching out can feel daunting. If you would like to explore whether we might be a good fit, I offer a free 30-minute initial conversation, with no obligation to continue.
If You Need Urgent Support
If you are in crisis, please contact NHS 111 or your GP.
You can also call the Samaritans freephone on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. If you are feeling suicidal, please tell someone and seek help.
What Concerns You?
Counselling for Low Mood,, Depression, Anxiety & Grief
Counselling for Low Mood,, Depression, Anxiety & Grief
Counselling for Low Mood,, Depression, Anxiety & Grief
When Life Feels Difficult
You may come to counselling for many different reasons. Perhaps your thoughts, feelings or experiences have become overwhelming, repetitive or difficult to make sense of.
You might be experiencing anxiety, low mood, grief or relationship difficulties. You may feel caught up in painful memories, struggling after a t
When Life Feels Difficult
You may come to counselling for many different reasons. Perhaps your thoughts, feelings or experiences have become overwhelming, repetitive or difficult to make sense of.
You might be experiencing anxiety, low mood, grief or relationship difficulties. You may feel caught up in painful memories, struggling after a traumatic experience, or going through a significant change connected with work, relationships or your health.
Sometimes there is no obvious reason. You may simply feel that something isn’t right, or that life has become harder to navigate.
Anxiety Counselling
Anxiety can leave you feeling constantly on edge, overwhelmed or unable to switch off, especially at night. Together, we can explore what may be contributing to your anxiety, understand the patterns that keep it going and find ways to help you feel more grounded and in control.
Counselling for Depression & Low Mood
Depression and low mood can bring a sense of heaviness, disconnection or loss of motivation, making even everyday life feel difficult. Counselling can help you explore what you are experiencing, understand what may be contributing to it and begin to reconnect with yourself and a sense of possibility.
If you feel you may be experiencing depression, please speak to your GP in the first instance.
Grief & Bereavement Counselling
Grief can be one of the most painful experiences we face. The loss of someone we love can affect every part of life — our emotions, relationships, identity, sense of security and even our sense of who we are.
There is no single way to grieve and no fixed timetable. Counselling can provide a space to talk about your loss, make sense of what you are experiencing and gradually find a way of living alongside the loss, at your own pace. Whether your bereavement is recent or happened many years ago, you do not have to navigate it alone.
Trauma Support
Traumatic experiences can affect how you feel, think, relate to others and experience your body, sometimes long after the event itself. I offer a safe and carefully paced space to explore what has happened, understand its impact and gradually develop ways of feeling safer and more in control.
Relationship Difficulties
Relationships can be a source of connection and support, but they can also become painful, confusing or difficult to navigate. Counselling can help you understand recurring patterns, communicate more clearly and explore your own needs, boundaries and responses within relationships.
For couples seeking support together, please see my Couples Counselling section.
When Something Doesn’t Feel Quite Right
You may not have a specific problem or diagnosis. You may simply feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, want to understand yourself more deeply, or be looking for a different way forward.
Feeling disconnected or emotionally numb can sometimes be a sign that you have become overwhelmed or burnt out. Counselling can give you an opportunity to explore what is happening beneath the surface and consider what might need to change.
Crisis Support
Counselling is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent mental health support, please contact NHS 111, your GP or emergency services.
You can also contact the Samaritans free on 116 123. If you are feeling suicidal, please tell someone and seek help.
Relationship Issues
Counselling for Low Mood,, Depression, Anxiety & Grief
Counselling for Low Mood,, Depression, Anxiety & Grief
Couples & Relationship Counselling
Relationships can change over time, and periods of conflict, disconnection or uncertainty can leave both people feeling stuck. Couples counselling provides an opportunity to slow things down and understand what is happening within the relationship.
I can support couples who are experiencing communication d
Couples & Relationship Counselling
Relationships can change over time, and periods of conflict, disconnection or uncertainty can leave both people feeling stuck. Couples counselling provides an opportunity to slow things down and understand what is happening within the relationship.
I can support couples who are experiencing communication difficulties, recurring conflict, loss of connection, the impact of life changes, or uncertainty about the future.
The aim is to help you understand each other more clearly, explore patterns within the relationship and consider what you both need. This may include working towards rebuilding the relationship, finding a different way of relating, or gaining greater clarity about the way forward.
Couples counselling can help partners break free of harmful cycles like the 'Drama Triangle' of victim, rescuer, and persecutor, or bring healthier ways of communication to replace what Gottman highlighted as four destructive elements that can sabotage relationships: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. Couple's can overcome these toxic patterns when they bring a desire for healthier communication, safety, and emotional connection.
"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."
-Carl Jung
Children & Young People
Counselling for Low Mood,, Depression, Anxiety & Grief
Children & Young People
Counselling Children & Young People
I have extensive experience working with Children and young people who can experience difficulties that they may not yet have the words or confidence to express. Counselling can provide an opportunity to explore feelings, worries and experiences in a way that feels appropriate to their age and stage of d
Counselling Children & Young People
I have extensive experience working with Children and young people who can experience difficulties that they may not yet have the words or confidence to express. Counselling can provide an opportunity to explore feelings, worries and experiences in a way that feels appropriate to their age and stage of development.
I work with children and young people experiencing anxiety, low mood, friendship or relationship difficulties, bullying, family changes, loss, school pressures and other challenges.
My approach is adapted to each young person in an age appropriate way - and may include talking, creative activities - including drawing and using little objects to represent themes as a way of helping them express and understand what they are experiencing.
Story work can be a very powerful way offer children a safe, indirect way to process big emotions by projecting their inner experiences onto characters and magical landscapes.
As a counsellor, I find the creative expressive approach with some clients helps to bypass defence mechanisms making it easier to untangle complex trauma, grief, or anxiety without feeling overwhelmed or exposed.
I always aim to work collaboratively with young people, whilst recognising the important role parents and carers may have in supporting them.
"A Thing which seems very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it."
- Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne
