Nigel Smaller
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am often asked what areas I specialise in, to which I reply that I focus on "people". No matter what brings a client to therapy, they are at core a human being in a world with others. The stresses and challenges of this simple premise are infinite and the considerations to navigate each unique situation can only be understood by those living it. Revealing them will also uncover the layers of belief which shape and hold us to unhealthy or meaningless modes of existence. Gradually, these layers can be identified and challenged to rebuild a more vital and meaningful way of being in the world.
At times these layers also include traumatic experiences - areas of heightened sensitivity - stored as lessons to protect us and which now potentially harm us and reduce our experience of the world.
As a gestalt and existential therapist, my approach has an eastern philosophical feel whilst being grounded and practical too. Balancing empathy and holding with compassionate and supportive challenge is part of the art of being a therapist and is what I would seek in a therapist myself.
My clients are free to speak about their whole self without fear of ideological judgement - or prejudice based on lifestyle, colour, race, gender, religious or non-religious beliefs.
Prior to entering the world of therapy, I had over 20 years in the corporate world and understand ’real world’ pressure, office politics, aggressive targets, presentation anxiety and the other varied challenges of that arena. I still provide training to corporates around stress, mindfulness and resilience.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy has no universal definition so I can only attempt to describe what it is for me:
It’s a relationship where the therapist takes a genuine interest in your life and how you experience it. They are interested, present, non-judgemental and empathic. They seek to create safety and to meet you where you are, whether sad, excited, angry, anxious, worried or even bored.
Every way of being has meaning and interest for me. I might sometimes focus on the content of your story or history (recent or past) but will often focus on the process of your being – that is, how you think or act or make sense of and meaning in the world, how you experience yourself physically, what matters to you most? who matters to you? what is missing from your life? How do you stop yourself from being more fully yourself? What are your hopes and wishes? These questions arise naturally as part of an ongoing discussion – a mutual enquiry into your life. You will slowly develop an understanding of who you are and how you are in a way which facilitates growth and change. The movement is deep and gradual and may not always be obvious or conscious although often is. Occasionally we might use creative means such as visualisation, dreams, writing or drawing.
Finding the right person to journey with is half the battle. Therefore, I am happy to speak to anyone via telephone for a free of charge and confidential call about working with me and to answer any questions.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a qualified psychotherapist and accredited member of the UKCP. For those who are not aware - and most members of the public have no need to be - the UKCP requires a postgraduate level of professional training lasting about 4-5 years.
The BACP, however is the most popular accrediting body and requires a minimum diploma level of education and training - usually 2 - 3 years or a multiple choice based test to convert from a non accredited training to become a BACP member.
My doctorate looked at midlife career change and identified paradoxical themes common to most people and which I use a great deal in my work today.
I have recognised qualifications in hypnotherapy, NLP and coaching which I can draw upon if it supports and/or facilitates the therapeutic work. In addition I am trained in EMDR and BLAST - two forms of eye movement therapy for the rapid reduction of traumatic symptoms. I am a member of the Society for Existential Analysis (SEA).
- Doctorate (DProf) in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling (from the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling)
- Diploma in Gestalt Counselling (from The Gestalt Centre)
- Diploma in Organisational Gestalt (from Metanoia)
- NLP Practitioner Certificate
- Certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy
- Certificate in Counselling Skills (Foundation)
My first degree was in Mathematics and Computer Science from Brunel University.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
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.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
My modality is Gestalt-Existential a philosophical approach that acknowledges our freedom to choose how we live and the challenge to live it authentically in a world where the opinion of others matter so much too. It is also creative and experimental, optimistic and relational.
Therapies offered
Fees
£75.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
After the first session I will ask you to sleep on your decision so there is no pressure to continue unless you feel this is a good fit and worth the investment.
There are limited concessionary spaces depending on financial situation i.e. total income rather than financial choices. These are often taken but come up now and again as those clients move on. Please feel free to make a case for consideration if you think you might fall into this category. I'll always do my best to help whilst balancing my own needs.
The price range varies according to individuals vs couples and online vs face to face (when I need to hire a room).
When I work
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays online only. Wednesdays F2F in Reading.