Hayley Smith
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello and welcome to bluebird counselling.
I understand that reaching out to a therapist can feel daunting and you may be feeling nervous or anxious. You may not be sure of what to say or what to expect. These feelings are completely normal, especially if you are starting therapy for the first time. Everyone will experience some level of apprehension when they contact a new therapist- you are not alone. I truly believe that seeking support can be the first step in taking back control of your life and the first step towards feeling better.
I am an experienced counsellor and my aim is to create a warm, welcoming and non-judgemental space that is private and confidential, which will help you feel heard and understood and help you start to make sense of what you are going through. I can help with:
- Depression
- Anxious Thoughts
- Relationship Issues
- Family Issues
- Trust
- Isolation and loneliness
- Anger
- Loss
- Feeling Stuck
- Self - Esteem and Low Confidence
Relationships and therapy are very much interconnected. Relationships encompass a wide range of interactions and connections between people, romantic, familial, platonic, professional and acquaintances. Each relationship has its own dynamics, benefits and challenges. I am passionate and deeply invested in helping individuals and couples improve the quality of their relationships with others as this will ultimately help to improve their quality of life and fulfillment.
How I can help?
I provide a safe and confidential space where you can explore what is causing you distress. Sessions are normally weekly but I can offer flexibility, depending on your needs. I work in a client-centred way, at your pace and with what is important to you. I aim to create a space that will help you make sense of what you are experiencing and help you work towards the life you desire.
I have experience working with individual adults and couples of all ages and backgrounds. I have worked with clients who have experienced depression, anxiety, loss, loneliness, communication, relationships, family issues, stress, low self-worth, affairs & betrayals, sadness, trust and much more.
Couples Counselling/Relationship Counselling.
I am Level 5 qualified in Relational Therapy and have over 4+ years of experience working with couples. I have a passion for working alongside couples who need professional help. I am deeply invested in helping others understand the complexities of relationships.
I can help to:
- Improve communication.
- Resolve conflict
- Build trust
- Repair trust
- Address intimacy issues
- Navigate life transitions
- Enhance parenting skills
- Cultivate understanding and empathy
- Promote individual growth
- manage different expectations.
If you are experiencing difficulties in your relationship please get in touch with me. Research suggests that most couples will struggle in an unhappy relationship for 7 years before they seek help and in that time a lot of resentment and damage has been done. Most couples tell me that they wished they had come to counselling sooner because they have found it to be a really rewarding and helpful experience that has helped them rebuild connections and gain a better understanding of themselves and each other.
I believe that your relationship with your counsellor is important to creating an environment where you feel comfortable and safe to talk about and explore all the aspects of your relationship. I work with clients to create a neutral space where you will both feel heard and respected and where your relationship is kept at the heart of our work together. I have undergone specialist relationship counselling training with Relate and you can feel assured that I have the right training and skills to be helpful to you and your relationship.
About me.
My name is Hayley, and I am the owner of bluebird counselling. I started my counselling training in 2015, following a long and fulfilling career supporting families experiencing difficulties in their day-to-day lives. Helping others to lead happier and more fulfilling lives has always been hugely important to me and being a counsellor is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
I hold a Level 4 Diploma in therapeutic counselling and a Level 5 Relationship Counselling Diploma with Relate. My practice integrates various approaches, using mainly, person-centred, systemic and psychodynamic. I work in a flexible way to meet the needs of my clients. I believe the relationship that I have with my clients is what will help you start to make sense of what you are going through.
I have experience working alongside individual adults and couples from many different backgrounds on various issues, including anxiety, loss, depression, relationships, stress, loneliness, trust issues, affairs and betrayals, communication, trauma, poor health, low self-esteem and much more.
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, which means I am committed to offering a professional and ethical service. I provide a safe and comfortable space for individuals and couples based in the Basildon and Rochford area. I offer appointments both inside and outside regular working hours.
If you are an individual seeking counselling, I offer short or long-term sessions. Each session lasts 50 minutes, and my fee is £50 per session.
If you are looking for relationship counselling, I offer short or long-term sessions. Each session lasts 50 minutes, and my fee is £75 per session.
If you need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can email me through the counselling directory. I normally respond to emails within 2 working days. Please check your junk folder.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a fully qualified person-centred counsellor and have many years of experience working with adults from a range of backgrounds. I work with both individual adults and couples. To enhance my work with couples I have undertaken a level 5 diploma in Relationship Counselling with Relate, which means that I am specially trained in relationship counselling.
I use person-centred, systemic and psychodynamic approaches in my work with individuals and relationship counselling.
I have run my busy private practice (bluebird counselling) in Basildon since 2019 and I also offer counselling sessions in Rochford.
In addition to my private practice, I am a relationship counsellor with Relate. Relate is the largest provider of relationship support in England and Wales.
I have experience volunteering for a local authority as a trainee and a qualified counsellor.
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).
I undertake regular high-quality clinical supervision, ensuring that I work ethically and safely within my private practice.
You can feel assured that I have been trained with the right skills to offer you meaningful and helpful counselling, and I work within a strict code of ethics, providing you with a high standard of care.
Level 5 Diploma in Relationship Counselling (CPCAB) (Relate)
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (ABC)
Level 3 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling (NCFE)
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (NCFE)
Introduction to counselling (SACC)
Training and professional development: My training and development doesn't stop at my formal qualifications. I undertake ongoing training and consultation with other counsellors to ensure that I am prepared to offer the highest standard of help:-
Couples Counselling - Counselling Academy
Understanding Trauma - Human Givens
Working with Loss and Grief - Counselling Academy
Working with Infidelity - Counselling Academy
Working with Anger - Counselling Academy
After the Classroom - Liberty Training
Attachment Issues within an Intimate Relationship - Counselling Academy
Counselling couples with Sexual Difficulties - Counselling Academy
Working with a Sexual Focus - Relate
Going online in a time of crisis - Online Therapy Institute
Certificate of Proficiency - British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
DBS Certificate( Disclosure and Barring Service)
Fully Insured - Holistic Insurance.
I have experience working with individual men, women and couples, from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. I have worked with clients experiencing loss, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, work-related stress, traumatic experiences, stress, parenting worries, communication, loss of trust, infidelity, sex and intimacy, conflict, anger and self-esteem.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 - £75.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Individual Adult Counselling Fee £50 per 50-minute session
Couple/ Relationship Counselling Fee £75 per 50-minute session
When I work
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Evening appointments available. Please do not hesitate to contact me for availability.
Please specify on your enquiry which location you would like to attend.
Further information
I offer daytime and evening appointments. Please email or telephone me with any queries that you may have or to book an appointment. I usually respond to queries within 48 hours of receiving them (Mon - Fri). Please check your junk folder.
I provide a working agreement at the time of booking, our initial session which sets out all you may need to know ahead of your first session. For example, how to pay, where I am based, when to arrive and confidentiality etc.
I am based in the SS13 and SS4 areas. My Basildon office has designated parking facilities, right outside. My SS4 base has street parking (restrictions apply at certain times during the day) and there is a public car park a short 5-minute walk away.
