Joanne Smith

I currently have availability limited to weekday evenings. 

Due to demand, I have opened Saturday mornings in a format of either remote via Zoom, telephone, or in-room. 

Limited home visits are available. 

I provide a bespoke, authentic, empathic, safe, non-judgemental and confidential environment for clients to share their concerns with complete autonomy. The counselling process offered is unique in its ability to offer a therapeutic relationship by supporting the client whilst they explore their expertise of the self whilst helping them to find an understanding of what the self looks like, enhance self-awareness, increase the ability to self-soothe, understand current patterns of behaviours, confidence in their choices, what their needs are and how they can be met.  Often a client requires support from a trusted companion with the processing of, sometimes, difficult feelings whilst voicing their life experiences.   

The therapeutic process is a process that enables the client to set boundaries, gain autonomy, a deeper understanding of the self which affords an enhanced quality of life with balance and the necessary tools to face future daily-life challenges without detriment to the self and enhance both the internal and external relationships. The supportive space I provide is the first step of the journey to experience a positive change in the implicit system.

My approach is open, honest, empathic, and explorative without limitation to one approach, my tools to meet the client's needs are broad and adaptive.   

Our work together:

• You will have complete autonomy

• You will set the pace

• You will decide your goal for therapy

• We will explore your strengths and weaknesses with a view to enhance

• We will regularly review our work together to ensure I continually meet your needs

• I will be empathic and congruent

• I will listen intently and understand your issues from your frame without judgement

• I will respect our differences and diversity between us

• I will be honest with you

• I will work ethically

• I will uphold confidentiality 

The approaches I work within: 

• The Integrative modality which is an approach integrating both Psychodynamic and Humanistic theories, particularly Person-Centred from the school of Humanism. 
• `NHS Research-based therapy designed specifically for depression:   Person-Centred Experiential Emotion Focused (BACP Accredited)
• Short Term work: Solution Focused
  
• Long-term work 

The various approaches I would often integrate into my work equip me with a broad knowledge base and skill set to meet client needs, which is fundamental to the therapeutic relationship.   

I consider all clients to be unique in their life journey which requires an integrated approach to therapy. 

I work from the stance that I am NOT the expert, the client holds the expertise; my role is to walk beside them through, often, a difficult journey of learning, truth, and ultimately self-acceptance which is enabled through self-exploration in a safe environment.    

I offer an open manner affording clients unconditional positive regard that enables an empathic attitude with the ability of authenticity.    

I am continually upskilling by attending continuing professional development for example: 

Open University:  Understanding ADHD

Open University:  Working online

Metanoia Institute: Working with and the impact of Menopause

BACP: Co-dependency: releasing the inner child from its pain to allow the adult to mature

BACP: Healing Trauma 

Metanoia Institute:  NHS Research-based therapy designed specifically for depression: Person-Centred Experiential Emotion Focused. (BACP Accredited - Licensed Practitioner)

BACP: Attachment - development of identity in childhood

BACP: Concepts of bereavement 

BAPC: Broken lives, broken brains and broken hearts

BACP:  Working with addiction 

Please note that this is a snapshot of my continuing development.   

I offer an initial 20-minute free first session over the telephone or via Zoom.