Katherine Smith

As a therapist with more than a decade of experience working with  children and young people, I believe that the key to good mental health is in developing a strong relationship with the individual, learning their strengths and their challenges in order to provide a truly bespoke service that relies equally on my knowledge and expertise, and their goals and values. I have worked in statutory, education and healthcare settings and draw from psychodynamic, CBT, ACT and creative therapies, enabling me to offer a holistic, safe space for young people to to think about what is important to them and what changes they would like to make as they move forward in their lives. 

I have an MSc in Psychology (Distinction), a PG Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Psychotherapy, and a BA Hons in History. I have additional specialised training in Counselling for Young People, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Sleep Disorders. I am registered both with BACP and with the BPS (British Psychological Society).

In my experience, young people truly thrive when they feel well supported and understood, and as part of my work I offer regular check ins with parents or carers: although my sessions with the young person are completely confidential, I believe it is important to have the opportunity for us all to review how we think the work is going, with the permission of the individual having therapy. This enables us to ensure that as a team, we are all working in the young person's best interests.

Prior to meeting with a young person, I would usually take a brief history from their parent or carer over the telephone (this service is provided free of charge) so we can discuss why they are coming to therapy and what their experience of mental health support has been so far. I have substantial experience with neurodivergence, and also offer the chance to talk through any sensory sensitivities so that any reasonable accommodations can be made to the environment ahead of a first encounter.

During a first session, I would usually take a brief history from the client and co-create a formulation of their experiences so far, the issues which have led them to seek help, and their hopes for how things will be different. Together, we look at what has worked in the past - and what has not - so that we can think about what might be more useful in the future.