Lucy Smith

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she/her
Integrative Counsellor BA(Hons), MA(Hons), MBACP, MNCPS(Acc)
Upper Basildon RG8 & Wallingford OX10

About me

Hello, my name is Lucy and I am a qualified BACP and NCPS Integrative Counsellor. I have nearly 10 years experience from working in numerous therapeutic settings from alcohol and substance misuse to mental health charities as well as sexual violence and domestic abuse services which led me into counselling. I continue to specialise in these areas (alcohol or substance misuse, abuse and trauma) as well as ADHD, relationship problems, BPD, PTSD, emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem, eating disorders, anxiety and depression.

What I have learnt from working with clients over the years, is the importance in recognising each person as genuinely unique with life experiences that has shaped who you are and impacted you along the way. This has allowed me to recognise that every session needs to reflect what you need at that time; sometimes that will be coping mechanisms and to become grounded in the here and now, at another point you may need to process a traumatic or impactful life event to be able to move forward again. I think there is also importance in looking forward to remind us what we are wanting to gain from counselling and how we can fan the flames to relight or preserve hope.

I believe this is possible when there is a therapeutic relationship whereby you can trust your therapist to be your safe space, to potentially share thoughts and emotions you have concealed from those around you with and in return you are heard and seen in a way that is authentic to who you really are.

I find that a first conversation between us is the best way for things to form a foundation stone to build our sessions upon which is why I offer a free 30min intro call online so you can ask any questions you may have and we can see if we align before you make any decisions or financial investment.

I offer sessions face to face in a private counselling studio in Upper Basildon or online UK wide. Counselling sessions work best when they are weekly but I understand financial and other commitments can sometimes impact the possibility of this so our intro call can be used to explore what is suitable for you.

Training, qualifications & experience

I am a trained and Qualified Level 5 Integrative Counsellor holding a Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling with a professional membership at BACP and NCPS. I am also a Qualified and Accredited Hypnotherapist with the National Hypnotherapy Society.

Prior to work, I completed a BA (Hons) degree in Criminology and Sociology and after wanting to further specialise I completed a MA (Hons) in Gender, Violence and Conflict. During my time at University, I worked with various charities and organisation building experience and starting to specialise in my areas of interest.

I have many years of experience working with clients in substance misuse, mental health, domestic abuse and sexual violence settings. Often, these areas also encompassed childhood trauma, criminal justice involvement, personal and family addiction and relational dynamics and trauma. I also grew experience working with intersectionality, PTSD, eating disorders and BPD/ EUPD.

Alongside my private practice, I am a counsellor at Alana House in Reading supporting women facing complex and intersectional challenges and trauma as well as starting mentoring with Reading University students.

I have an Enhanced DBS, partake in regular supervision in line with my professional bodies as well as personal therapy. I have an interest in continuing ongoing CPDs with my most recent being in Attachment Theory with The Bowlby Centre and the Three Phase Trauma Model.

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.

NCPS
National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£55.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed

Additional information

Fees are based on the therapeutic hour which is 50 minutes.

If you feel I would be able to help you and want to understand a bit more, then please drop me an email or call/ text to arrange an initial free 30-minute introduction session. If we agree we are a good fit, we will organise our first counselling session, along with dates and times that work. 

When I work

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

Upper Basildon, Berkshire, RG8

Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Microsoft Teams
Whatsapp
Zoom

Social