Alison Smith

I currently offer telephone or video calls  during the daytime and evenings, Monday to Friday.  I work flexibly to find a suitable time for every client including early mornings if required.

Everyone will experience problems or emotional difficulties at certain stages in life and I am passionate about the therapeutic benefit that talking therapy can provide. Whatever the issue or  difficulty faced, I offer a safe and confidential space for clients to explore them. By tailoring the therapeutic approach to the needs of the client, I aim to facilitate all clients to make positive changes in their lives. This may be through development of greater understanding and awareness as well as consideration of potential coping strategies to find practical solutions. The focus will always be on the individual client and what they wish to gain from the counselling process.

I have an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy and am a fully registered member of the BACP and accredited registrant of the National Counselling Society.

My approach is humanistic and integrative in nature meaning that I believe in the uniqueness of every individual and will use elements of different therapeutic approaches to help clients explore, cope with and find solutions to their challenges. The principles of person-centred counselling are incorporated into every session ensuring, as a minimum, that clients feel heard and understood with compassion and without judgement.

I have extensive experience from my first career of working in both People Management and Leadership Development which would be particularly beneficial for those looking for support with work related issues or are requiring elements of developmental or leadership coaching.

I am passionate about lifelong learning and am committed to keeping my knowledge as up to date as possible with respect to the difference and complexity of every clients experience. As such, I undergo regular continuous professional development training. As a member of the BACP I work within their Ethical Framework and am professionally supervised.

I offer a free initial 25 minute assessment session which will be used to explore your expectations from counselling and whether my approach may be beneficial.

Crucially, this will give you the chance to decide if working with me feels right for you.

Future sessions will be agreed at a frequency you require, usually weekly or fortnightly and are of 60 minute duration.