Amy Smith, Integrative Counsellor (MBACP)
About me
Hi, I'm Amy (she/her). I'm a down-to-earth, empathic counsellor, offering you a space to feel heard, understood and supported. I can help you make sense of your life and how you feel - exploring how your past impacts your present, how to cope today and how you might move toward a better future - whatever that means for you.
I will take your feelings and issues seriously but I will also laugh and swear with you if that feels right for us! There can be humour and lightness in therapy, as well as challenging emotions and depth. I will be there with you through whatever comes up, with acceptance and compassion.
Client focus & specialist areas
I have worked with a range of clients struggling with mood, self-esteem, relationships and other issues. I also have particular experience working with clients with chronic illness/disability, and those who are LGBTQ+.
Approach
I trained in integrative counselling with a person-centred foundation and integration of psychodynamic, relational and existential approaches.
How I can help
Therapy is different for everyone but past clients have experienced:
- Reduced feelings of anxiety and depression
- Increased sense of self-worth and self-care
- Improved communication in relationships
- Support in processing and adapting to life with chronic illness and disability
- Increased capacity to cope with life's challenges
- Generally feeling better and more grounded in themselves - with more choices and hope
I work online and by phone. I offer a free 30-minute consultation to give you opportunity to see if you feel I may be the right fit for you (therapy is so much about the relationship) and how you find this way of working.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- BACP Accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling (NHS College)
- BACP Accredited Certificate in Counselling Skills
I hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate.
Experience
I was a Trainee Counsellor at Mind (Maidstone), seeing clients in their low-cost service, before opening my own private practice.
Further training
I undertake regular Continuing Professional Development. Recent short training has included courses on Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity, and varied approaches to working with trauma and grief.
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
Accredited Register Scheme
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
While I've worked with a wide range of clients, I have particular experience in these areas...
- Chronic illness & Disability
I support clients in processing experiences around becoming ill, diagnosis and living with chronic illness and/or disability - including ableism and medical gaslighting. I have understanding of various conditions including M.E, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), Fibromyalgia, Hypermobility, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Long Covid etc
If you need a session length shorter than 50 minutes this is not a problem. We can set a shorter session time (minimum 30 minutes) or be flexible dependent on your capacity on the day. - LGBTQ+ friendly. I have worked with clients who identify across the range of Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity. This includes clients who are non-binary and polyamorous.
I am also...
Body positive and have understanding of fatphobia.
Therapies offered
Fees
From £35.00 to £45.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Standard fee - £45
Concessions available to those on low or no income on a sliding scale down to £35
Sessions are generally 50-minutes and weekly, but we can discuss what works for you.
Availability
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Further information
I offer a free 30-minute consultation by Zoom or phone to see how we get on and if you'd like to proceed. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or if you'd like to book this in. I always endeavour to reply within 24 hours. On occasion my emails may go into the "junk" box so do check this if you are waiting on a reply.
Whether you meet with me or another counsellor, I wish you well on your therapy journey.
