Heather Darwall-Smith

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Heather Darwall-Smith, UKCP Reg., MA Psychotherapy,

About me

I’m a UKCP-registered psychotherapist with over 10 years’ experience supporting adults over 18, with a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties. My practice is integrative, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that therapy offers a space to understand ourselves more deeply and to live with greater balance and authenticity.

Alongside my general practice, I have a particular interest in sleep and neurodiversity. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or disconnected – sometimes because of long-term sleep difficulties, and sometimes due to stress, anxiety, trauma, or the demands of neurodivergent living. 

Alongside my general practice, I have a particular interest in sleep and neurodiversity. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or disconnected – sometimes because of long-term sleep difficulties, and sometimes due to stress, trauma, anxiety, or the demands of neurodivergent living.

My approach brings together psychotherapeutic understanding, trauma-informed practice, and an awareness of how the body and nervous system shape our emotional life.

I also work with people navigating relationship challenges, burnout, identity questions, creative blocks, and the impact of grief or life transitions.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • UKCP-registered psychotherapist
  • MA in Core Process Psychotherapy
  • Trained in CBT-I and studied on the Oxford University Sleep Medicine course
  • Additional training in trauma, breathwork, neurodiversity, anatomy, physiology, and massage
  • Former clinician in a Harley Street sleep clinic
  • Author of two books on sleep, with a third due for publication in 2026

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

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.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

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

UK Council for Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

  • Sleep difficulties (insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, parasomnias, and restless sleep)
  • ADHD, autism, and neurodiversity

Therapies offered

Fees

£150.00 per session

Additional information

My standard fee is £150 per 60-minute session. This reflects the depth and specialism of my work, which draws on extensive clinical experience and training, including time spent in a Harley Street sleep clinic and further study in sleep medicine, trauma, neurodiversity, and embodied approaches.

Over the years, I’ve found that people often seek therapy with me after trying many other routes. The investment reflects the time, focus, and ongoing professional development I bring to each client relationship.

I also hold a small number of reduced-fee spaces (£85) for students, trainees, and those on lower incomes. These are limited and offered according to availability.

At present, I do not work directly with insurance providers, as their restrictions on session length, scope, and fee structures don’t support the flexibility and depth required for this work.

If you’d like to discuss your circumstances or availability, please feel free to get in touch – I aim to make this process as open and transparent as possible.

Further information

My approach is integrative and draws on Core Process Psychotherapy, mindfulness-based and relational perspectives, as well as training in CBT-I and sleep medicine. I work collaboratively, helping you explore how past experiences, present patterns, and bodily processes influence your emotional world.

Therapy with me isn’t about fixing you, but about helping you understand and work with yourself in new ways, finding greater ease, connection, and vitality.

Sessions are available online either short- or longer-term depending on your needs.

Choosing a therapist can feel like an important step. I offer an initial session where we can discuss what brings you to therapy, what you hope to gain, and whether we feel like a good fit to work together.

Please feel free to contact me to arrange a first session or to ask any questions.

Deddington, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15

Type of session

Online

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Online platforms

Zoom

Social

Heather Darwall-Smith
Heather Darwall-Smith