Joanne Smith
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I provide a bespoke, authentic, safe, non-judgemental and confidential environment for clients to share their concerns with complete autonomy. The counselling process offered is unique in its ability to offer a therapeutic relationship by supporting the client whilst they explore their expertise of the self, supporting them to reach a place of insight.
The therapeutic process is a process that enables the client to set boundaries, gain autonomy, enhance self-awareness, increase the ability to self-soothe, understand current patterns of behaviours, install confidence in decision making, identify personal needs and how they can be met, a deeper understanding of the self which affords an enhanced quality of life with balance and the necessary tools to face future daily-life challenges without detriment to the self. The supportive space I provide is the first step of the journey to experience a positive change in the implicit system, therefore, an enhanced life. ARE YOU READY FOR THERAPY?
Some often wish to focus solely on processing their unspoken emotions.
"When we focus on the past, the present often passes us by..."
Our work together:
- You will have complete autonomy
- You will set the pace
- You will decide your goal for therapy
- We will explore your strengths and weaknesses with a view to enhance
- We will regularly review our work together to ensure I continually meet your needs
- I will be empathic and congruent
- I will listen intently and understand your issues from your frame without judgment
- I will respect our differences and diversity between us
- I will be honest with you
- I will work ethically
- I will uphold confidentiality
I am experienced in both short-term ‘solution-focused’ and long-term therapy.
About me:
I work within the Integrative modality which is an approach integrating both the schools of Psychodynamic and Humanistic theories, I particularly lean towards the Person-Centred approach from the school of Humanism blending in the Psychodynamic concept of understanding the linking of past experience to current behaviours. The integrated approach equips me with a broad knowledge base and skill set to meet client needs.
I also offer the approach of Person-Centred Experiential Emotion Focused therapy when working with depression, this is a evidenced based approach delivered within the NHS.
All theoretical models of counselling are based on the premise that clients need to talk through their issues and interpretation.
I come from a university background as a Quality Standards Manager and am currently an employed licensed NHS Talking Therapies counsellor; all areas of my career have centred within the sphere of healthcare including my work within the university context.
My life is representative of a broad lived experience which makes me understand issues commonly faced by many at some point in their life. To experience self challenge can be troubling and difficult to process whilst continuing to function daily.
Training, qualifications & experience
My clinical experience has been gained within the NHS and private practice settings by supporting clients who present a broad spectrum of issues including but not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Anger
- long-term health conditions
- Depression
- Menopause
- Work, study and life-related stress
- Relationship issues including family, mental and physical abuse
- Bereavement
- Interracial relationships and children of mixed/dual culture and the impact on identity.
- Boarding school syndrome
- Work with women to support the evolvement and understanding of self leading to strengthening relationships with self and others
- Attachment
- Low self-esteem
Experience:
- Licensed NHS Talking Therapies Counsellor: NHS National service
- Private Practice
Qualifications:
- Metanoia Institute, BSc (Hons): Reflective Therapeutic Counsellor – Top-up final year
- Metanoia Institute/NHS: Licensed practitioner Person-centred Experiential - Counselling for Depression - (Level: Pg Cert (BACP accredited ))
- CPCAB: Level 4 Diploma: Therapeutic Counselling (BACP approved)
- BACP: Competency of Proficiency (COP)
- CPCAB: Level 3 certificate, Counselling skills and theory
- CPCAB: Level 2 certificate, Counselling Skills
Example of CPD:
- BACP: Co-dependency: releasing the inner child from its pain to allow the adult to mature
- BACP: Healing Trauma
- BACP: Attachment – development of identity in childhood
- BACP: Attachment-aware, trauma-informed perspective on resilience and healing the ripples
- BACP: Concepts in bereavement work
- BACP: Broken lives, broken brains, broken hearts
- BACP: Healing from the bottom up
- BACP: Assessment and intervention with suicidal clients
- BACP: Managing chronic anxiety with mindfulness
- BACP: Attachment theory in practice
- Tavistock: Loneliness vs Solitude
- Tavistock: Working with Trauma
- Metanoia Institute: Working with Menopause
- BACP: Working with addiction
- Open University: Understanding ADHD
- BCCS: Trauma Workshop
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
Fees
£65.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Fees:
- Typical 50-minute slot £65.00
- I offer a flexible sessional format of 1.5 hours bi-weekly/per month, please contact me to discuss criteria and fees - this flexible option is perfect for those with limited time and for those seeking support with trauma.
When I work
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x1 space on Monday evening.
x1 Saturday space available.
Further information
Appointments:
I offer a flexible approach to attendance including a 1.5 hour session bi-weekly or monthly along with the standard 50 minute session.
I typically work early mornings, evenings and weekends. For further detail for appointment times and frequency, please make contact.
Professional Body Membership.
I am a full member of the British Association Counselling Psychotherapy professional body (BACP).
