Judy Smart
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello and welcome. With over 20 years of experience, including more than a decade as an NHS staff counsellor and a counselling tutor / lecturer. I am a trusted and accredited therapist here to support you.
In that time, I have helped many clients with, and can support you now to deal with issues such depression, grief and bereavement, suicidal tendencies, body issues, family dynamics, anxiety, sexuality, low self-esteem and relationship problems.
At times in life like everyone else, you will go through difficult periods and struggles, and I have the knowledge and experience to be able to support you to manage and work through these difficulties.
It may be that you are struggling and going through a difficult time at the moment, there may be past issues that are affecting you, or you may find yourself stuck in unhelpful patterns of behaviour or thinking. Or you may just have a sense that things aren't quite right, and are feeling down and low in energy.
It can sometimes be hard to talk to people who know you, and counselling offers a different and unique relationship where I will provide a safe, impartial, confidential, and non judgemental space in which you will be heard and understood. This can then support you to work through emotions, raise self-awareness, gain clarity, and explore ways to help you to move forward with whatever difficulties you are experiencing.
Whatever your personal issues or circumstances, my aim is to be alongside you, and help you work through these difficult times that you are experiencing at this moment in your life. As well as providing you a safe space to work through and process your emotions, I also aim to raise your awareness about various thoughts and behaviour patterns that you might have. Some of these may be repetitive and unhealthy and you may feel stuck and dissatisfied with life.
I am interested in what 'stops' you from meeting your needs and fulfilling your potential, and then working with you to find and explore new ways to move forward with your life, in a way that feels right for you. Then you can reach a place where you feel more acceptance of yourself, more empowerment, and a greater sense of satisfaction and happiness
I work Humanistically as a Gestalt therapist, and am an Accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). This means that I work to a professional code of ethics and will value and respect you as an individual person, whilst providing a warm, caring, and non-judgemental environment.
I am very committed to being a therapist, and to working with you and providing a space which is different to one that your family and friends provide. Where you don’t have to worry about what you say to me as it is confidential, and where I am not going to judge you, or tell you what to do, but will offer you the support and understanding that you need to find your own way forward.
I appreciate that going through difficulties can sometimes be a lonely and isolating place and that it can be hard to reach out to someone. However, once you have made this step it can often feel like a big relief, and you can start making the journey towards being in a better place.
I offer counselling on a short and long term basis depending on your needs and circumstances.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or queries that you may have, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards
Judy
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
I am an Accredited Member of the British Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and abide by their code of practice and ethics. Please note: as an Accredited BACP Member, I have gone through a rigorous process of accreditation and am seen as a competent practitioner.
I hold a Certificate and Diploma in Humanistic Counselling.
I have completed an additional 8 years training in Gestalt Psychotherapy (postgraduate level) leading to a Diploma in Psychotherapy, UKCP registration and GPTI accreditation. I completed CORE training in Gestalt Psychotherapy (2012).
I have also completed a Diploma in Coaching.
Experience
I qualified as a counsellor in 2005 and have been working in private practice since, having extensive experience of working therapeutically with adults. Alongside that, I have worked in the NHS for 13 years as a staff counsellor, providing support to NHS staff through individual counselling and delivering and facilitating group sessions.
I am also a qualified teacher / tutor, and have taught in Further and Higher Education establishments for over 10 years, lecturing, and delivering counselling courses to adult learners up to diploma level.
Recent workshops and areas of on-going continuous professional development include;
- Critical Incident Stress Management Training (CISM)
- Mediation Training
- Mindfulness Diploma
- Domestic violence
- Suicide awareness
- Working with trauma.
Member organisations
school 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.
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
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
£50 per 50 minute session.
I am able to offer some concessions at a reduced rate, although availability is limited.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
I have availability on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, daytime and evenings.
Further information
I have an interest in meditation and mindfulness and regularly go on retreats.
I am able to offer telephone and online counselling.
