Dr Barbara Smith

My practice is in the lovely village of Rainhill, a few yards from Rainhill Station.  I have worked for over 30 years with adult clients, as well as children and adolescents.  I am a senior accredited psychotherapist with BACP and a Consultant EMDR therapist.  I am also a registered child psychotherapist. I have a PhD in counselling, an MA in counselling and an MSc in CBT. In addition to my individual work, I run a weekly psychotherapy group. In more recent years I have tended to specialise in trauma work using EMDR which often addresses old memories that linger, preventing us from finding peace in our lives. Trauma is not always brought on by a big dramatic event; it can be small, isolated moments in time which have wounded us, and which we have never had the opportunity to explore or heal from. Equally, it can result from repeated exposure to harmful experiences over longer periods of time. More and more people are seeking therapy having realised they have some neurodiverse traits. This is an area I have considerable experience with. Some clients are not sure what they want from coming to see a therapist. This is something that we would explore together in the first session, to get some clarity about what troubles you and how I can be most helpful. I am published in the areas of diversity, children's self-esteem and working creatively. As an experienced therapist I am trained and qualified in a range of different therapies including Transactional Analysis (TA), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),  the Person Centred Approach and EMDR. I am a volunteer with the British Red Cross undertaking urgent response work in international disasters. I have a keen sense of humour which I share with my clients and a deep commitment to helping people find their way through life's many and varied challenges.

The use of the title Dr in this directory listing relates to the member’s doctorate qualification. However, this does not imply a general medical qualification.

I use my humanity and my own life experiences in my work with clients. I am aware of the bumpy ride life can be. I help my clients to explore past and present challenges and to negotiate a future unburdened by old memories of distressing life events.