Amy Smith
Verified Professional
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Integrative Counsellor (MBACP)
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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 have worked with a range of clients struggling with depression, anxiety, self-esteem and relationships. I have particular experience working with clients with chronic illnesses/disability, and those who are LGBTQ+.
I can help you explore your issues and make sense of your life and how you feel - considering how your past impacts your present, how to cope today and how you might move toward a better future - whatever that might mean 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.
Approach
I trained in integrative counselling with a person-centred foundation and integration of psychodynamic, relational and existential approaches.
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 (InterPsyche Training Institute - Centre for Counselling & Psychotherapy Studies; within NHS KMPT)
- BACP Accredited Certificate in Counselling Skills
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, Chronic Pain, and varied approaches to working with trauma and grief.
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
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
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, MCAS, Long Covid etc
You may also want counselling for issues not related to your chronic illness, with a therapist who gets what it is to live with one.
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...
- Neurodivergent affirming with understanding of autism and ADHD
- Body positive, fat positive and have understanding of fatphobia
Therapies offered
Fees
From £35.00 to £50.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Standard fee - £50
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.
When I work
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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.
