Hayley Barker-Smith
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I help people to find their way in life with clarity and hope.
Every trauma tells a story that has not been truly heard, leaving the core self raw and invalidated and keeping you small. You may find yourself facing many challenges at various times in your life. Sometimes feeling shame or afraid to speak up, struggle with low self-esteem or confidence issues, feeling stuck or like you are living in a dark place with no sense of how or where to find the light.
I am a highly experienced Trauma-informed, Person-Centred, Somatic Psychotherapist registered with the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). I am a Breathwork Facilitator, Accredited ADHD Practitioner and Speaker (SeedTalks and Online Events). I am also a proud graduate of the Red School Menstruality Leadership programme, and a member of their cyclical business circle, passionate about supporting individuals experiencing PMS/PMDD (I have lived experience of the impact it has on every aspect of life, and have used this to write my published research).
I work with adults and adolescents who are looking for mental and emotional health support with trauma including: -
- ADHD
- PMDD
- Relational issues
- Narcissistic abuse
- Co-dependency
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Self-harm
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Coercive and controlling relationships
- Childhood trauma
- Bereavement
- Shame and worthlessness
- Suicidal ideation
My intention is to support you to understand your thoughts, feelings, and life experiences as valid responses to your previous and current experience so that you can feel empowered, heard, and begin to heal.
My Experience
I graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University with a BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy (working with adults), and a DipHE in Person-Centred Counselling Children & Adolescents.
I trained and worked with the Woman’s Trust helping women of all ages experiencing domestic abuse, overcome emotional and mental harm from narcissistic abuse, coercive and controlling relationships, codependency, sexual violence, and all forms of abuse. I know and understand the different ways abuse can impact individuals and their sense of self - anxiety and depression, trauma, suicidal feelings, self-loathing, shame, and worthlessness.
How I work
Processing deeply held loss, grief or trauma in therapy can be both painful and life changing. You will go at your own pace and share what only feels right for you, as YOU are the expert of YOU.
I have a deeply empathic person-centred approach and give you the time and space to express your feelings and discuss your experiences openly, in your own words and in your own time. I will work sensitively with you as a compassionate witness to your story; without judgement, and with unconditional acceptance.
Mind & Body (Somatic experience)
With a VTCT diploma in complementary therapies and background as an energy practitioner, I offer a very calming space where you are treated with sensitivity and respect. My somatic approach focuses on the mind/body connection, and I work very much with the sensations and emotions that are stuck in the body, presence (the here and now), your felt sense, energy, grounding, and imagery.
Conscious Connected Breathwork
My breathwork journey began over 20 years ago, something which changed my life and set me on my spiritual pathway and healing journey. I am a fully qualified Breathwork facilitator working with clients on a 1-2-1 basis and in groups in Leigh-on-Sea and Chelmsford.
Menstrual Cycle Awareness
I am a graduate of the Red School Menstruality Leadership Program and a member of their Cyclical Business Circle. My life's work has been centred around healing my own trauma held within my cycle (PMDD). I live my life around the seasons of my cycle and MCA (menstrual cycle awareness).
Accredited ADHD Practitioner
I have trained on the UKs highest ADHD certification program with one of the country’s leading experts, Kim Raine – Author of Square Pegs. I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2023 and understand the impact living undiagnosed or misdiagnosed has on a person's quality of life and sense of self.
I support those undiagnosed, self-diagnosed, diagnosed or awaiting diagnosis and I can ease the distress for those lost in the system potentially in crisis without support.
My Fees
My current session fee is £70 per therapeutic hour (50 minutes).
I offer a limited number of concessionary rate spaces, which you are welcome to enquire about.
I am happy to offer a brief chat (maximum 20 minutes, fee-free) via Zoom or telephone if you would prefer to speak with me prior to booking your first paid session.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Accredited ADHD Practitioner 2024
- Somatic Parts Work 2024
- Intergenerational Trauma 2024
- Breathwork Practitioner 2023
- Therapeutic Safety in Trauma 2022
- BA (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy 2019
- DipHe Counselling Children & Young People 2016
- Certificate Person-Centred Art Therapy 2015
- Red School Menstruality Leadership Graduate 2020
- Certified Mother/Daughter Coach 2021
- Women's Power Circles Facilitation 2022
- Private Practice 2019 - present
- Secondary School Counsellor 2014-22
- Adult Counsellor (MIND) 2017
- Adult Counsellor (Women's Trust) 2016
- Adult Counsellor (Havering & Brentwood Bereavement Service) 2014-2017
- Holistic Therapist 2002-2012
- Breathwork Foundation Diploma (2006)
- VTCT Diploma Holistic Therapies (2002)
- Reiki 3
Member organisations
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Menstrual Cycle Awareness
- Menstrual Health
- Mother/Daughter Attachment
- Women's Power Circles Facilitator
Therapies offered
Fees
£70.00 - £120.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My current session fee is £70 per therapeutic hour (50 minutes).
I offer a limited number of concessionary rate spaces, which you are welcome to enquire about.
My rate for Breathwork is £120 (90 minutes)
I am happy to offer a brief chat (maximum 20 minutes, fee-free) via Zoom or telephone if you would prefer to speak with me prior to booking your first paid session.
When I work
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