Mairi Smith
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This professional is available for new clients.
About me
When I was a counsellor in training I read "Love's Executioner" by renowned psychiatrist and therapist, Irvin Yalom. He wrote: "It's the relationship that heals" (1989, p112). A belief that has remained with me throughout all of my training and practice over the years.
Working mainly from a person centred approach, I work in collaboration with you, firstly building and developing a trusting, therapeutic relationship which will enable you to feel safe and supported, then encouraging you to explore whatever feelings or issues you choose to bring to counselling. My role is to support you to develop your self awareness and make the right decisions for you. I truly do believe you are the expert of your own life.
I currently offer online sessions only via Zoom or Teams. Allowing you to engage with sessions from the comfort of your own home or from a quiet, safe, confidential space.
As a registered and accredited member of the BACP, I follow and adhere to their ethical guidelines and specifically their online and telephone competencies framework. I am fully insured, with a current DBS and undertake regular clinical supervision to ensure best practice.
Training, qualifications & experience
Thank you for taking the time to look at my profile. I'm Mairi Smith, a qualified counsellor, registered and accredited with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
My qualifications are as follows:
- PgDip Counselling and Psychotherapy (2014)
- PgDip Counselling teenagers (2018)
- MSc Psychotherapeutic Counselling (2020)
- PgCert Higher and Professional Education (2023)
- PgCert Counselling Supervision (2024)
I have a broad range of clinical experience, working therapeutically with young people and adults for many years. I previously worked within a therapeutic community, to support and provide psychoeducation to professionals, parents and carers supporting young people in residential care. During this time, I also completed a PgDip Counselling Teenagers which helped me to further support the young people I worked with.
I have a keen interest in Fertility and Infertility Counselling, I am a member of the British Infertility Counselling Association and have completed a foundation course in infertility counselling. I volunteer with Fertility Network UK, moderating and facilitating regular support groups online for individuals experiencing secondary infertility. I recently had an article published in the spring edition of the BICA Journal of Fertility Counselling. I would like to extend my research further into secondary infertility and the benefit of counselling/group counselling through a Professional Doctorate.
I am currently a lecturer in Counselling at Staffordshire University, a counselling supervisor and enjoy working with and supporting students as they develop, flourish and grow during their training.
Member organisations
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£45.00 per session
Additional information
It's important that you feel comfortable with me and my practice and that I'm the right counsellor/supervisor for your. I therefore offer a free 20 minute consultation online. This provides you with the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.
Counselling sessions are £45.00 per 60 minutes.
Supervision sessions are £50.00 per 60 minutes.
