Dr Carole Smith
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
What I can offer:
Are you looking for a highly trained psychotherapist to help with life's difficulties? I have over 20 years experience as a Gestalt psychotherapist combined with an in depth medical background to help and support you in making change in your life. Let's work together to achieve the insight you might need.
You might be wondering if therapy is for you? At times we experience difficulties which get in the way of living or relationships - if you would like the opportunity to make those changes for your self, life and relationships, then one to one sessions, or as a couple, with a non-judgemental professional can offer emotional support and help you find new possibilities in moving forward.
I am a qualified UKCP registered psychotherapist/trainer and supervisor with experience of work in the voluntary sector, the NHS and private practice. My Gestalt approach draws upon humanistic, existential and psychodynamic traditions which means that I recognise and value the potential of each person in their uniqueness and individuality. I can offer you a safe and confidential setting in either long or short term work.
As a Gestalt Psychotherapist, I am interested in the whole of you as a person and how and what makes meaning for you in your life. Therapy can help you to become more aware of every aspect of yourself and how fixed patterns might be hindering you in what you want to achieve. My belief is in working with our awareness in a purely relational way.
Contact me via email or mobile number and leave a message; I will normally get back to you on the same day.
What to expect:
On making contact with me, I can tell you more about the ways I work and we can explore the issues that you want to resolve. There may be a number of options and I can be flexible and adaptable in the way we work together. If you like the sound of that, we will arrange a mutually convenient time for your first appointment and you can come and meet me, or talk online or via telephone, before you make any commitment. If you want to go ahead, we will look at the best ways forward for you. It is important that you have the right person to work with as this is an essential ingredient for therapy to work for you.
I work with individuals, couples, groups and will supervise practitioners and trainees.
Coronavirus:
The current situation may be causing you a great deal of anxiety, loss or fear. If you are struggling to cope, please contact me to arrange an online appointment. We can have sessions via Zoom, WhatsApp, or telephone.
Training, qualifications & experience
SCN; SCM
BSc(Hons)
MSc in Integrative Counselling
Professional doctorate
PGCEA
UKCP registered Gestalt Psychotherapist/Consultant Trainer and Supervisor
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
My early career was in the NHS as a trained nurse and then a midwife. I had management experience within the NHS before moving in to teaching/lecturing in a University setting where I now lead counselling courses, teaching counselling skills and academic studies. I am also a consultant trainer and supervisor with the Manchester Gestalt Centre and a training and supervising member of GPTI (Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute).
I was initially trained in Person-Centred Counselling going on to a Masters in the Integrative Approach in Counselling at Nottingham University. I then trained in Gestalt Psychotherapy at Metanoia and the Sherwood Institute in Nottingham. I am registered with the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) and I am bound by its Ethical Framework. I am insured and supervised in accordance with their guidelines.
My doctorate is in Counselling and Psychotherapy and my interests are in trauma and body work.
I have worked as a counsellor/therapist in organisations offering loss and bereavement support, drugs and alcohol, trauma, abuse/violence, relationships, the NHS and with children.
I have further specific training in anxiety, depression, bereavement, mindfulness and trauma. My doctorate is about group experiences in counselling/psychotherapy training.
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.
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
Free initial in-person or online session
Additional information
Ring or email me to discuss. I offer reduced rates in some cases.
When I work
Flexible appointments including evenings
Further information
I can offer flexible appointments, including evenings if you need to fit around your work commitments.