Layla Smith

Verified Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

she/her
RDMP MA, CMA, DTLLS, BA Hons

About me

I am a registered Dance Movement Psychotherapist (RDMP MA), a Private Practitioner, Clinical Supervisor, Certified Movement Analyst (CMA), and Movement Teacher (DTLLS) (BA hons).

Personal Therapy: I offer individual and group Movement Psychotherapy sessions to adults. All sessions are confidential, face to face or online and can either be long or short term depending on client needs.

I aim to provide a safe, contained and non-judgmental environment to support and empower an individual in their personal exploration. I work with Integrative and Humanistic approaches to help integrate body and mind through verbal and non-verbal communication.

With focus on working with being present in the moment, I encourage creative and natural movement to explore any themes and emotions which may emerge in a session. This exploration of creative potential is useful as both therapeutic tool and a life skill. Learning to understand, trust and follow body signals and impulses can help develop body and emotional awareness and allow opportunities for personal growth, empowerment and change.

I can help with issues on: loss, stress, anxiety, depression, body image, physical/sexual abuse, psychosomatic issues, learning disabilities, sensory difficulties, physical disabilities or general personal development.

Please see my website for further information: www.laylasmithpsychotherapy.com

Supervision: I offer individual or small group supervision sessions for therapists, trainee therapists and health care professionals with an interest in an embodied approach.

Movement Teaching: For adults, I provide group or individual sessions in body awareness, movement observation and Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) for professional and personal development.

I also offer supervision of LMA language description, reflections on clinical work and movement observation skills which can help simplify and deconstruct complex movement patterns enabling clarity of intervention within clinical practice.

Please see my website as above for further information.

Training, qualifications & experience

I am an experienced Dance Movement Psychotherapist (RDMP MA), a Private Practitioner, Clinical Supervisor, Certified Movement Analyst (CMA) and Movement Teacher (DTLLS) (BA hons). Alongside a private practice, I have 20 years experience working as a Dance Movement Psychotherapist and 15 years NHS experience in secondary, primary care and the community.

As a teacher, I facilitate different DMP (Foundation and MA) workshops in higher education. Other clinical experience since 2006 includes: adult and child mental health, severe dementia, acute adult mental health, learning disabilities, chronic depression, medically unexplained symptoms, eating disorders and forensics.

Please see www.laylasmithpsychotherapy.com for further information.

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.

ADMP
Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK (ADMP)

ADMP UK is the professional organisation for the profession for Dance Movement Psychotherapy in the United Kingdom.

They aim to support the development of DMP in the UK and internationally; foster communication among Dance Movement Psychotherapists (DMPs); and promote the use of DMP throughout the United Kingdom and abroad.

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£80.00 - £90.00

Concessions offered for

  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

Personal Therapy: £80 - 90 per 50 minute session - please contact me to discuss

Groups: depends on numbers, please contact me to discuss

Supervision: £60 individual - please contact me to discuss

Groups: depends on numbers and location so please contact me to discuss

A sliding scale for trainee therapists for supervision is possible

Movement Teaching: £80/hour individual for LMA & movement observation

Groups: depends on numbers and location so please contact me to discuss

Workshops: will be advertised on my website

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Further information

What is Dance Movement Psychotherapy(DMP)?

DMP is a form of therapy that encourages self-expression, creativity and communication using the body. Within the context of a therapeutic relationship, it uses movement and verbal expression as a way of exploring and working through positive/negative emotional issues and unacknowledged feelings. DMP engages people in an artistic and therapeutic process through which they can discover their own power to symbolise, organise and integrate important life experiences.

Please see my website for more information on session structure.

Type of session

In person

Types of client

Children (0-12)
Young people (13-17)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Supervision

In person
Online

Working with an embodied approach using movement can offer therapists new ways to reflect on their nonverbal impact with clients and vice versa.

View supervision profile