Sally Smith

Think of me as a life companion. A consistent and reliable safe space. I am a firm believer in leading with an empathetic, nonjudgmental approach. As a strengths-based, relational therapist (someone who wants to emphasise all the amazing things that make you "you"), I aspire to guide you toward self-compassion and empowerment in your individual goals.

My key expertise is working with the adaptations that come from having had challenging experiences, for example, anxiety, relational safety, stuckness, inner sadness, struggles with conflict, people pleasing, avoidance, feelings of worthlessness, overwhelm, self criticism, feeling lost, struggling to find your true self, grief, regrets, resilience, and tolerance.

I value being honest, open, and most of all human, and I would encourage you to be the same. In my experience, it is fundamentally important to work collaboratively and to tailor therapy to the individual. Therapy can be a transformative experience, with the potential to have a profound impact on one’s life.

As an integrative therapist, I have studied multiple approaches, which is very helpful in order to identify the best techniques for each client to feel comfortable and make good progress. Please refer to my website for more detail about me my therapeutic approach.

I also offer practical exercises as well as talking therapy itself. These exercises can help to improve your own toolkit for managing difficulties. 

I have studied psychodynamic, person centred, cognitive behavioural therapy, existential therapy, relational therapy, internal family systems and compassion focussed therapy. I am really influenced by the work of Gabor Mate, Erving Yalom, Jan Winhall, Janina Fisher, 

Dear future client,

A gentle conversation might be the clarity you’ve been looking for. I am caring and experienced and I am offering you a safe and confidential space to talk. Feel free to book an informal discovery call.

Sometimes we need a space where we can set aside the roles and masks we carry in the world, and allow every part of ourselves to be seen and understood by another human being.

I aim to create a safe, supportive environment where you can feel comfortable being yourself.

Therapy can also offer a place to express fears, feelings, or parts of yourself that may not feel welcome elsewhere. If you’re looking for somewhere to be emotionally held and supported, I would be glad to help.

I help my clients to gently process past wounds, heal trauma, and regulate their nervous systems so they can live well, set boundaries and step into a more authentic, fulfilling life. We may explore how early experiences, unconscious patterns, and internal conflicts shape your present-day emotional life.

Therapy isn’t about fixing you, it’s about helping you feel more regulated and comfortable in yourself, while supporting you create the life you truly want and deserve.

My relational approach emphasises three key areas: your relationship with yourself, with others, and with the world you inhabit. You will find me to be curious, thoughtful, human, collaborative and helpful. I also make room for your dreams, joys, and desires. Where appropriate I'll encourage playfulness and humour because working on ourselves needs levity too.

It would be an honour to work with you.

Why waste any more time? Life is precious.

Let's do this thing!  

A 25 minute initial consultation/discovery session is offered free of charge. This will be on zoom, even if you are beginning face to face therapy with me.

50 minutes therapy sessions £70 (pay monthly)

50 minutes therapy sessions £85 (ad hoc)

I offer both you the choice of zoom for face to face,  I work close to the bus stops and M&S at Blackheath Standard. Plenty of parking and plenty of bus routes.,

Online or face to face near Blackheath Standard, SE3

My approach is rooted in Hawkins and Shohet’s Seven-Eyed Model, which I love because it encourages us to look at our work from many different angles, to notice patterns, reframe dilemmas, meet resistance with curiosity, and gently find movement when things feel a bit stuck (because let’s face it, sometimes we all get a little stuck).

In practice, I work within person centred principles, and draw on psychodynamic ideas, attachment theory, practical trauma recovery, parts work, CFT, somatic therapies, CBT and the ever-evolving world of neuroscience. I’m guided by theory, but always grounded in what’s real, human, and alive in the room (and sometimes what’s rolling its eyes in the corner).

From a relational perspective, I see supervision as a creative space, somewhere we can take risks, explore the unknown, and stay open to what’s happening within and between us. My hope is that it feels like a genuine partnership: thoughtful, supportive, sometimes challenging, occasionally funny, and always deeply human.

90 mins monthly supervision is £85 (this can also be split into two 45 minute sessions).

Supervision, with me, is a space of collaboration, curiosity, and care. It’s a chance for two professional humans (because that’s what we are, after all) to sit together, reflect, and keep growing, for the benefit of the people we work with, and for ourselves.

I see supervision as a shared exploration rather than a hierarchy. My approach is grounded in respect, openness, and a deep belief that we all have similar human potential, the same messy, brilliant, hopeful humanity that brings us to this work in the first place.

Sometimes supervision will be thoughtful and reflective. Sometimes it will be challenging as we work to resolve and understand. Sometimes we’ll just need a small laugh to remind ourselves that we’re human too. I aim to offer a professional space that feels safe, and supportive.

Whether you’re newly qualified or well established, my hope is that supervision feels like a partnership, a place to think together, stay ethically and emotionally grounded, and keep your practice alive and connected.

Feel free to book a discovery session to see if we feel like a good fit. Happy to chat on zoom for 20 mins foc or feel free to book an hour of supervision £60.  No pressure, no commitment.