Dhiren Doshi-Smith

Maybe you've spent years holding it together. Keeping the peace at home, masking at work, never quite feeling like you can just be yourself. Therapy can be the one place you don't have to perform.

I currently have space for new clients. I offer weekday sessions from morning through to early evening, plus a few later appointments for people working office hours. Just ask if you need something after work or at another time. Sessions are online or in person in Loughton (IG10), whichever feels more comfortable for you. Concession spaces are available.

I work with adults on anxiety, low mood, stress, self-esteem, identity, relationships, cultural and family pressures, and neurodivergence, including ADHD. I have a particular interest in working with queer clients, people of colour and neurodivergent people. Many of the people who come to me are looking for somewhere they don't have to explain themselves to be understood.

I've been supporting people since 2021, first with Switchboard, the LGBTQIA+ helpline, then as a counsellor at London Friend, and now in my own practice, OakPath Therapy.

If you're unsure whether counselling is right for you, feel overwhelmed by the idea of starting, or just want to see if we click, book a free 15-minute call. There's no pressure and no need for the perfect words. You can begin wherever you are.

My approach to counselling is warm, relational and grounded. I work in a person-centred way, which means our sessions are led by you and shaped around what matters most in your life. I am not here to diagnose, analyse or tell you what you should do. Instead, I offer a steady and supportive relationship where you can explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences at your own pace.

I believe that meaningful change happens when people feel genuinely heard and understood. My role is to provide a space where you do not need to perform, explain yourself repeatedly, or be anyone other than who you are. You do not need to arrive with the right words or a clear plan. We can take our time making sense of things together.

In sessions, I work with care, curiosity and honesty. I will gently reflect patterns, emotions or tensions that may be difficult to notice on your own, while always respecting your autonomy and boundaries. Alongside compassion, I value clarity and authenticity, and I aim to support you in developing a stronger connection to yourself and your needs.

I work with adults experiencing issues such as anxiety, low mood, depression, identity questions, self-esteem difficulties, relationship challenges, cultural or familial pressure, trauma, stress and neurodivergence, including ADHD. I have particular experience working with queer clients and people of colour, and I am mindful of how experiences of marginalisation can affect safety, trust and self-worth.

Therapy with me is not about fixing you. It is about creating the conditions where you can feel more like yourself, make sense of what you are carrying, and move forward in a way that feels right for you.

I offer a safe, confidential and welcoming space for adults seeking support with life’s challenges. Sessions can take place in person in Loughton (IG10) in a calm and private setting, or online, so you can engage in therapy from wherever feels comfortable. My aim is to create a space that feels steady, accepting and non‑judgmental, where you can bring your full self, including uncertainty, complexity and vulnerability.

In our work together, you can expect to be listened to with care, honesty and empathy. I work collaboratively, responding to what is most pressing or important for you in the moment. Therapy is not about being fixed or performing; it is about understanding your experiences, exploring patterns, and building a stronger connection to yourself and your needs.

You do not need a clear goal or the “right” words when you start. Many clients come feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, or struggling with identity, relationships, self‑worth, cultural or familial pressures, trauma, or neurodivergence such as ADHD. I also have experience supporting queer clients and people of colour, and I am mindful of the ways marginalisation can impact trust and safety in therapy.

Sessions are generally 50 minutes long, scheduled weekly or at a pace that works for you. Before starting, you are welcome to have a brief introductory call to ask questions, explore the fit, and feel confident about taking the first step. My aim is to make therapy accessible, safe, and supportive, and to hold a space where you can feel seen, heard, and respected.

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, so I want the first session to feel as easy as possible. Think of it as a chance to meet me and see how it feels to talk, not a commitment to ongoing sessions.

Before we book anything, you're welcome to have a free 15-minute call. You can ask me anything, tell me a little about what's going on, and get a feel for whether we click.

The first session is 50 minutes, the same as every session after it, and the fee is my usual £80. It can be online or in person in Loughton (IG10), whichever feels more comfortable for you.

We'll talk about what's brought you here, what feels most pressing right now, and what you'd like to be different. You don't need to have it all worked out or know where to begin. Lots of people arrive feeling nervous or unsure, and that's completely fine. We'll go at your pace.

I'll ask a few gentle questions about your background and what's going on in your life, so I can understand you and keep our work safe. It isn't a formal assessment.

We'll also go through the practical side, like how often we'll meet, fees, cancellations, and how confidentiality works, including its limits. That way you know exactly what to expect from the start.

At the end, there's no pressure to decide anything right then and there. If it feels right, we can book your next session. If you want time to think about it, that's fine too.