Hayley Smithson

Hello, my name is Hayley. I hope you find the information in my profile helpful in your search for a counsellor as I understand how overwhelming this can feel.

Life can be complex and we may all struggle from time to time. 

Perhaps you are experiencing difficulties with a particular issue such as feeling anxious about your work or generally feel anxious most of the time. You may suffer from a lack of self confidence or have a low mood or motivation. You may be adapting to changes in your life or coping with loss or bereavement. 

Sometimes it is not so easy to define exactly what is troubling you, but you just feel things could be better.

How I can help

As a counsellor I aim to provide a safe, non -judgemental space. I will endeavour to truly listen so that you will be heard and understood as we explore the issues that are troubling you. 

I am an integrative therapist which means I incorporate a range of techniques and counselling theories from my training, experience and continued professional development tailored to best suit your needs.

At the heart of my practice are the person-centred core values of empathy, nonjudgemental acceptance and congruence and all my work is greatly informed by a compassion focussed lens.

My aim in sessions is to work collaboratively with you at your pace. I believe we all have internal resources and an innate potential and I will work to facilitate you in drawing on them.

As a relational therapist, I value the importance of the therapeutic relationship in helping you to bring about the meaningful changes you want to have a more fulfilling life, or in developing more effective ways of coping. This may simply be feeling more at ease with yourself or making choices that help you with where you want to be.

My areas of interest

My areas of interest are in helping people with low self-esteem and in managing anxiety as I am aware, from both personal and professional experience how these common mental health issues can significantly impact the quality of people's lives.

I am also interested in helping people cope with loss in all its different contexts, including bereavement. I also work as a counsellor in a community hospice helping clients diagnosed with life limiting illnesses, their significant others and those bereaved and have found this work to be humbling and deeply rewarding.

I offer a free 20 minute initial phone call for you to find out a bit more about how I work and for both of us to see if we could work together. Please email to arrange a mutually convenient time for the call.

I look forward to hearing from you.

I work face to face from my therapy room in Penarth.