Paula Smythe
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
How do you know if I am the right therapist for you? If you don't find the information that will help you decide, please ask, and I will be happy to provide you with any further information you require.
We often follow some very old and familiar patterns in life. These can become quite restrictive and debilitating at times. There comes a time, where we need to stop, take stock of what is happening, and take better care of ourselves.
Whether you are experiencing problems, or wanting some help to refocus in your life, therapy can help.
I am an experienced humanistic therapist, my main humanistic preferences being Person Centred and Transactional Analysis. I am registered and accredited by the BACP and offer both long and short term face to face therapy for adults. During this time of lockdown, I am working remotely using telephone or online services (I use Skype)
I am a very down to earth and plain speaking person. I am warm and caring, and have a great passion for my work.
I offer a safe environment for you to explore your needs, and am compassionate and non-judgemental. My therapy room is comfortable and relaxing to create a warm and inviting environment. Feedback regularly comments on my caring and compassionate nature, whilst also being helpful and productive. My personality reflects a soft and gentle persona, while also being very grounded and strong. I have a wealth of life experiences which have guided my training and practice.
I also offer creative therapy and inner child work for those who wish to experience more than the traditional talking therapies.
I began working as a counsellor in 2002, and have worked in mental health continually since that time. I currently work in private and charitable practices.
Evening and weekend appointments are available
Training, qualifications & experience
My main qualifications, and training include:
BSc (Hons) Psychology (Awarded Tom Hoyes Memorial Prize for dissertation)
Humanistic Diploma in Counselling
CBT Diploma (distance learning)
Foundation Certificate in Transactional Analysis
OA Dip (Child and Adolescent Counselling)
Diploma in Mindfulness
British Sign Language Level 2
BACP Accredited
My therapeutic work has included:
NHS Occupational Health - short term, work related problems, stress, anxiety, return to work focus, depression, disciplinary worries
Health Centre / GP surgery - long and short term work, including generalised anxiety as well as specific anxieties including PTSD, depression, bereavement, abuse, self harm, self esteem, family / relationship problems, addiction, pregnancy worries, feeling stuck, stress and many other problems.
Charitable therapeutic services for adult survivors of child abuse and trauma. This includes self harm, drugs and alcohol problems, feeling unable to move on, feelings of unworthiness / low self esteem / lack of confidence, dissociation, domestic violence, suicidal ideations, struggles with sex / sexuality / sexual violence
I have worked for a charity offering services to those with learning disabilities as well as physical disabilities. My work has also included working with aging populations, and the many challenges faced during this process.
I have worked continuously since 2002, and have varied life experiences and training which have had an enormous impact on me and the therapist I am today
I have done limited work with deaf clients
(I currently need a refresher in BSL in order to further work within the deaf community)
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 - £70.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Fees range from £45 per hour to £70 per hour. Higher rates apply to late evening and late weekend appointments.
Some concessions may be available, so please ask for details regarding availability (ie student rates)
I can accept cash, bank transfers or cheques, and receipts are available if required
Prepayment: T/C apply*
Ask for a prepayment schedule which may be available
T/C -
*anything more than 1 short notice cancellation, the session will be forfeited
*if all prepayment sessions are not used, refunds will be worked out using the full session price, not discounted price
*offers can only be used once (at discretion of therapist)
When I work
I offer daytime, evening, and weekend appointments. Currently I am unable to take deaf clients until I have completed a refresher course in BSL
Further information
I run and attend regular training workshops - my own workshops include working with the inner child, abuse and shame, sex and sexuality, creativity in therapy, dissociation / PTSD, trauma amongst others
I regularly provide training and offer services as a guest speaker for trainee therapists. I also teach on counselling courses
Some other areas of my training include:
Brief Therapeutic work GSRD
Data Protection
Safeguarding - Children and Vulnerable Adults
Resuscitation
Non-clinical health and safety
Working with men and boys
Dispelling myths - death and dying
Sexual health / HIV & AIDS awareness
Spiritual Dimensions of Bereavement and Loss
Family and bereavement
Brief solution focused family therapy
Domestic violence and children's needs
Attachment / separation
Domestic violence
Creative work with clients
Signs and symptoms of harm
Drug Awareness
Medication and the therapeutic process
Addiction
Human Trafficking
Children and young people in distress
Living with Borderline Personality Disorder
Alexander Technique
Developing Mental Toughness
Making sense of apparently unusual experiences
Music Therapy
Understanding and Supporting People on the Autism Continuum
Supervision and Appraisal
My office, within the Centre 88 building, is close to Hull Royal Infirmary. Centre 88 is a multi-purpose centre, providing anonymity regarding your visit. There is free parking available within the centre's car park.
Local bus routes cover the Anlaby Road area, with bus stops a 2 minute walk away
Please note, I can be contacted via email, telephone / text or the contact me page. Please do not use WhatsApp as I don't often check this account
