Dom Smith
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello there!
I work with clients with additional needs, and people working within the music industry, alongside those people who are simply looking for a listening ear. I have worked within the NHS, and privately helping clients with depression, neurodivergence, and more.
Previously, I have worked in the music industry as editor of Soundsphere magazine for over ten years, and recently founded WARO (Wobbling About and Rocking Out) to spotlight disability and mental health awareness within arts and entertainment. I also have Cerebral Palsy, and ADHD. I am currently registered with Disability Plus as a Specialist Motor Functions Counsellor.
Feel free to e-mail me at: domsmithcounselling@gmail.com, and we can set up a free introductory call. I look forward to hearing from you.
From there, we can arrange a free introductory call to see if I am the right therapist for you, and so that I can get to know you better.
Since qualifying as a therapist, I have gained experience in public and private sector counselling, working with anxiety, stress, disability, and more.
You can read more about my experience below.
I will listen to you and support you to the best of my ability. Our sessions together will be your time to share, and I will offer you a non-judgemental, confidential environment. Together, we will find the most helpful and supportive way for you to move forward.
Please note, I do not currently offer counselling to people below the age of 18.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications and Certificates:
ABC Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, Awarded: 2022 - York College
BACP Certificate of Proficiency, Awarded: 2022 - BACP
TA101 (Introduction to Transactional Analysis), Awarded: 2022 - The Ellesmere Centre, Hull
Certified Mental Health First Aider (Awarded: 2021) - The Ellesmere Centre, Hull
CPD Certificate - Mental Health Awareness in the Music Industry (Awarded: 2021) - Tonic Rider
Professional Experience:
Specialist Motor Functions Counsellor (Disability Plus)
200+ Hours of Counselling Experience (NHS Fulford Priory, York, Disability Plus, Counselling for the Music Industry)
Continued Professional Development
Safeguarding Awareness Training with Lynn Findlay (CPD 2 Hours) - November 2022
Professional Memberships:
I am a Registered Member of the British Association For Counselling & Psychotherapy BACP: Certificate number 00953039
*This means I agree to abide by an Ethical Framework, and a complaints procedure, attend regular clinical supervision, as well as take responsibility for continued professional development (CPD).
I am an Accredited member of the National Counselling Society: Membership Number: NCS22-02087
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.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. 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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session
Additional information
Counselling sessions are 50 GBP, and sessions will be 50 minutes.
I am also able to travel locally (within the Hull and wider East Yorkshire area, and all I would need is a quiet space in which we could sit, and talk without being disturbed).
When I work
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I will be usually be available 10am - 7pm (Monday to Friday)
Further information
The value of counselling:
When I started training to be a counsellor, I attended therapy myself, so that I could gain a better understanding of myself, and this helped me see the real value of the counselling process, and the great relationship that can develop between the counsellor, and the client.
I have continued to engage in personal therapy because it is important to take care of myself while I am providing support to others. It is also essential for a counsellor to continue to work on their own self-awareness, and access personal and professional support.
Therapy enabled me to examine my own life experiences, and my personal struggles to learn to live with physical health conditions (Cerebral Palsy) and neurodivergence (ADHD) while reflecting on ways to adapt and continue to have an exciting and productive life.
I understand now, more than ever (from real lived experience) the value of investing in personal therapy with a well-trained and experienced counsellor.
Through therapy, I came to understand that how I was feeling was not always related to something in the present, but at times something to do with my history. My counsellor helped me to realise this, examine the core of these issues, and find new ways to reflect and grow, rather than feeling restricted. I hope to be able to do this for you too.
My ways of working:
I am not the expert in your life, and I will not try to "make you better", I am a qualified counsellor, but it is you who knows your own experiences best.
I will help you reflect upon the issues that you bring to therapy, and support you to draw your own conclusions. I will always listen to you and do my best to understand your feelings so that we can move forward together in the therapeutic process.
I cannot give you a formal diagnosis, but I can try to point you in the right direction, and explore options with you if this is what you need.
I have worked hard to be the professional I am today, and I always want to provide professional and ethical practice. I care so much about my work, and I will care about you, and what you bring to the session.
Clinical supervision:
I engage in regular clinical supervision. This ensures I continue to be well-connected in the profession, keep my skills updated, and can be professionally and appropriately challenged, and supported as a counsellor.
All supervision is always bound by confidentiality agreements, and the client's anonymity is maintained.
Importantly, supervision supports me as a therapist, and it safeguards you (the client).
