Andrew Smith

Thank you for reading my profile.

Life is tricky, especially now. We have so much to process, and so many demands from every day life.  This is separate to if we have had complex histories.  Therapy can help though.

I am a qualified psychotherapist, family therapist, and academic. I endeavour to combine all these skills within practice. I am an alumni of Scarborough Psychotherapy Training Institute, the University of York, and completed my doctoral research at the University of Chester. I have researched extensively the process of effective therapeutic recovery. I have a range of publications, alongside extensive training and lecturing experience. I continue to lecture at the University of Salford.

I am also a qualified yoga teacher and buddhist meditation practitioner. The role of spirituality in healing and recovery remains central to my practice, regardless of your beliefs.

I am a member of:

European Society for Psychological Stress Studies

BACP

Society for Psychotherapy Research

European Association for Psychotherapy

The International Centre for Therapeutic Care

Institute for Recovery from Child TraumaUK Psychological Trauma Society

In terms of practice, I work integratively; I use a wide selection of tools, training, and experience to ensure I help clients as effectively as possible. I have particular experience and expertise around recovery from trauma, gender dysmorphia, addiction, sexuality, loss, identity, and anger. I work with all genders and pronouns, and respect alternative approaches to life and being.

I have a busy practice, located in both Sowerby Bridge and Salford, Manchester.  I am able to see you in either location.  Additionally, I work online, and this is proving to be an increasingly popular and effective method of intervention. 

During our work, we can draw upon classical psychotherapeutic techniques and theories, alongside the newer approaches such as C.B.T. and Motivational Interviewing.  My original training took four years, followed by subsequent trainings in therapies such as DDP  and family therapy.  

I work regularly with adoptive families, and also with foster families and atypical groupings.  I again draw upon classical family therapeutic approaches, alongside the newer ones.  My research and specialism in therapeutic recovery from trauma informs much of what I do.  I am currently testing a new, evidence-based model of best practice. 

Much of my work uses ideas from neuroscience, and the physiognomy of trauma informs my practice.  We will learn how to breathe, how to recognise our feelings physically, and more importantly, develop techniques to manage them differently.  

Art and music are often brought in to therapy, and I have a deep respect for spiritual practices, whatever they are.  These are all known to support effective recovery.

I am an approved provider for various local authorities, and thus am able to provide adoption support to you if this is required.  

I consolidate everything I do with a wide range of colleagues and associates from other disciplines.  

We will first have a telephone conversation, where we can assess the suitability for us to work together, depending on your questions and my availability.  

We will then meet for 50 minutes.  I will invite you to talk about you, what brings you to therapy, and I can talk about what you can expect from therapy.  I sometimes ask for us to complete brief questionnaires, and we will go through a therapeutic contract together.  This is a chargeable session, as my screening takes place over the telephone. 

You can then spend some time thinking about if I am the right therapist for you, or start work together.  There is no pressure either way.  If we work together, we will review the work regularly, and modify whatever is required. 

I am an experienced clinical supervisor, and have worked with children, their families, and adults, for over twenty years. 

I have experience of supervising social workers, psychotherapists, and counsellors. 

 I am a member of:

European Society for Psychological Stress Studies

BACP

Society for Psychotherapy Research

European Association for Psychotherapy

The International Centre for Therapeutic Care

Institute for Recovery from Child Trauma

UK Psychological Trauma Society

I am an alumni of Scarborough Psychotherapy Training Institute, the University of York, and completed my doctoral research at the University of Chester. I have researched extensively the process of effective therapeutic recovery. I have a range of publications, alongside extensive training and lecturing experience.  I also lecture at the University of Salford. 

In terms of practice, I work integratively; I use a wide selection of tools, training, and experience to ensure I help clients as effectively as possible. I have particular experience and expertise around recovery from trauma, gender dysmorphia, addiction, sexuality, loss, identity, and anger. I work with all genders and pronouns, and respect alternative approaches to life and being.