Lisa Smith

I was inspired to become a counsellor because counselling helped me to  overcome my own difficulties and to successfully meet my own challenges.

You'll have heard it said that seeking help is a strength - and it's true.  Embarking on a counselling journey can feel like a daunting step.  I understand this and will support you in taking that first step.  

You may be feeling ...

anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, lonely, or stuck, or feel that you have somehow lost your way.  Perhaps you experience feelings of numbness or feeling cut off from those around you.  You may be having problems in your  relationships with a partner, family, friends or at work. Perhaps one or more difficult live events have happened to you eg. abuse, job loss, bereavement or relationship breakdown.  Or something else.  Perhaps you're unsure what's happening or how you're feeling. 

How I can help

I'll work with you in an emotionally safe way, actively listen to you, without judgment and help you to navigate your way through your difficulties by gaining clarity and developing your confidence and capacity to grow - so that the best forward path for you as an individual begins to emerge.  Together we'll spot any feelings, thoughts and behaviours that are making life difficult for you.  We'll explore do-able alternatives that will work for you personally.  If needed, we'll also find coping strategies that will get you through difficult times.  Of course, everybody has different needs and goals but generally speaking you'll be armed with the necessary emotional tools to

• become the best version of yourself
• experience improvement in your relationships 
• make better choices that serve you
• be more assertive, confident and comfortable in your own skin and feel more empowered
• banish that inner critical voice
• regulate and manage your emotions 
• feel less depressed and less anxious

These enhancements to your life are what makes counselling such a vital investment in yourself - and because the tools you develop to experience the new you will last your lifetime.   

The type of therapy I offer

The basis of my approach is founded in person-centred counselling (working with how you are and aspire to be as an individual).  I may at times also draw on CBT therapy (working with your thoughts) as well as other forms of therapy like DBT (working with difficult emotions), in order to meet your particular individual needs and goals. You'll take things at your own pace, and can rest assured that no matter what you bring to the therapy space, it will be respectfully accepted and treated as confidential.   

What can I expect to change?

The feedback I receive is that I'm "real" and someone clients can easily relate to and build a rapport with.  People also report that at stages during the counselling, or by the end of it, they experience improvements in relationships, are less stressed, more confident and increasingly comfortable with who they are. They experience more faith in themselves and their choices and are able to break difficult behaviour cycles and patterns that were unhelpful either to them and/or to those that mean something to them.  They get more from themselves and from life.

What will the first session be like?

I'll spend some time getting a clear sense of your reasons for coming to counselling and to find out about your mental health history and background.  I'll explain about what to expect and you'll be able to ask any questions or raise any concerns.  It's also a good opportunity for you to decide if you would like to go to the next step - starting your counselling journey.

If any of this sounds like what you need then please do get in touch.

Whatever counselling journey you choose, I warmly wish you every success.

Lisa

After Counselling Directory notifies me of your interest I offer a free 15 minute phonecall to discuss what you need and to answer any questions you may have. It also provides an opportunity for us to decide whether to take things to the next stage of an initial consultation session.

I believe in making counselling available to as many people as possible and therefore charge a flat rate and lower cost fee of £35. 

All sessions are 50 minutes long and are scheduled to take place at the same time each week. I offer one-to-one counselling sessions by telephone or on Zoom (a highly encrypted and secure platform).

The work is open-ended - there is no limit to the number of sessions available. I conduct regular reviews to ensure that your needs are being met and very much encourage clients to be open about what they feel is working well and perhaps not so well. After all, it's your process and it's about helping you in a way that is most comfortable and effective for you personally.

I adhere to the ethical framework of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy so you can be sure you are being treated in a safe, accountable and professional way.