Helen Smith
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
One in three people in the UK have now had some form of talking therapy such as counselling; with 65% of people reporting noticeable improvements in the quality of their lives after just seven sessions.
I am Helen and I am here to support you through any of the challenges you may be facing.
Over the years, I have developed expertise in working with individuals who are troubled by anxiety and depression, stress and overwhelm, low self-esteem or struggling with a significant life event such as a bereavement, relationship breakdown or another type of loss or change. I also support individuals who live with trauma, which could be from childhood, or more recent trauma.
How do I work?
I work as a relational integrative counsellor and am trained in a wide variety of therapeutic models (such as psychodynamic, person-centred, transactional analysis, CBT etc.) which I draw from, as appropriate, and integrate to meet your specific needs. Working 'relationally' is based upon the value of human connection and recognises that healthy relationships are fundamental for people to be able to develop, thrive and for ongoing personal wellbeing. So, the therapeutic relationship that we will develop together, where you'll feel it is safe for you to explore your feelings and heal from distress, will be at the heart of the counselling.
What will your counselling experience be like with me?
I will provide you with a safe and confidential space, to listen and really hear your story and experiences, without any judgement.
I am a warm, friendly person and a good listener; with strong empathic understanding and vast experience from my own personal life. I believe that kindness, compassion, respect and understanding are the cornerstones of life, and that everyone has the potential to heal and find happiness.
I work in a flexible way and tailor counselling so you get the most benefit from your therapeutic experience with me. I am committed to working together, as a team, to make sure that I fully understand your expectations of counselling and what it is you would like us to focus on because you are the expert on you.
I put my heart into my therapeutic work and love supporting people and seeing the positive changes that counselling and psychotherapy can bring about.
I hope I will hear from you soon.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Level 7)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Skills
- BA (Hons) with Qualified Teacher Status and SENDCo
- Safeguarding training
- Regular CPD
I work solely in my practice 'Heart of Harrogate Counselling', working with private clients, and I also take on referrals from several local charities. I have previously been employed by Just'B' in Harrogate and also in an integrated family service in Leeds.
As well as working with adults, as an ex-school counsellor and former teacher & SENDCo, I meet the BACP competencies for working with children and young people, including those who are neurodivergent.
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
£45.00 - £50.00
Free initial telephone session
