Kim Fitzwarine-Smith

Welcome, and Respect! for considering having some counselling. It takes a bit of courage to have got this far. After working remotely during the lockdowns I am continuing to offer counselling via telephone, or online using  Zoom, as well as offering face to face meetings, and walk-and-talk sessions in the open air. I offer initial sessions at a reduced rate of £25; you might find that this could turn into an opportunity to do some self-exploration that's long overdue. 

People can have a stereotype of counselling as something that's only for  'troubled' people. We tell ourselves 'Surely I can sort this out myself?' and 'If I just carry on maybe this problem will go away....' We're all deeply troubled at one time or another. Some of us drink or use other drugs to help us cope, which might work o.k. for a while, but has quite a few drawbacks as a long-term answer. Talking things out with someone who has taken a lot of time and effort to learn how to really listen, someone who is honest with us, and accepts us, and tries very hard to understand what the world looks like from inside our skin, that's another way of going about things that doesn't have the side effects. Not that it's easy - you'll need more of that courage - but a lot of people find it helps a lot. It’s a place to get your head straight.

I was a teacher for many years, and changed career because I wanted to take time to listen when students wanted to talk about what was really on their minds. As a Person-Centred counsellor I believe that inside ourselves we have not only the answers to our problems but also the capacity to grow and blossom. It's my job to be alongside you while you bring your answers out into the daylight, and to do all I can to provide the right conditions for that growth.

Maybe you feel that worry or lack of confidence is ruining your life. Maybe you've lost a loved one and don't think you'll ever feel happy again. Perhaps you've been badly let down in a relationship, or are struggling to keep one going, or have never been given the love we all need to thrive. Could be you're just sick to death of feeling sad and scared. These are the kinds of things people bring. Counselling is a place where you can talk over your situation, relationships, thoughts and feelings. I won’t judge you or advise you, (although I might occasionally make a suggestion) I'll just listen – really listen – and accept you for who you are.

I'm a registered member of the BACP, the professional organization for counsellors, and I work by the rules in their Ethical Framework. I believe very much that people need to be out in nature regularly if they're to feel good, so I work from Stuart's Stable, a therapeutic centre in the Shropshire countryside. My counseling space is a yurt, which is heated by a log-burning stove and therefore cosy all year round. Maybe you liked the look of it in my profile picture? I hope you'll come and check it out for yourself.

Which brings us to the next step, which I know is a lot more difficult, the actual getting in touch. Give me a call or a text, or drop me an email, and I'll do all I can to make it as easy as possible for you. If you're agreeable we can arrange to meet up for a preliminary chat about the work we might do together. This initial assessment is charged at a lower rate than a normal session according to your income, with a fee of £25, as mentioned above.

Whether you decide to get in touch with me or not, I really hope and pray that you'll continue with your search. This is your one life. Don't settle for unhappiness.

My fee is £40 for an hour's session, £30 for students and trainee counsellors, and £25 for OAPs and those on benefits, with all initial sessions being £25

Couples counselling fee is £50 for a one hour session.

However, if this is a problem I don't want you to give up on the idea of engaging with this potentially life-changing work because you don't think you can afford it. This is particularly important in the current climate of scarce NHS funding and long waiting lists. So if money is short, do please get in touch, then we can have a conversation and find a way forward.

If you prefer I have further counselling rooms available at Broseley Methodist Church and at St. Georges Methodist Church in Telford.