Mary Anne Smith
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I currently practice face-to-face, telephone & Zoom Video platform. An optional free 10 to 15 minute consultation is offered by 'phone or Video (Zoom) to discuss your immediate needs & answer any questions you may have about therapy. There is no pressure to proceed at any stage but once you feel comfortable to continue then a mutually convenient date & time is arranged for your first session. Details outlining terms of working together are sent for you to reflect upon before your first session to confirm agreed fees & payment details; cancellation terms & practical ways of working etc.
I offer a person-centred integrative approach. This means that you decide the agenda & I work collaboratively with you to facilitate your desired goal at a pace which is comfortable for you..
I am able to adapt elements from different theoretical models, where appropriate, especially when a person-centred approach gets 'stuck' & struggles to make progress. Examples of models include: Psychodynamic theory; Cognitive Behavioural Theory (CBT); Transactional Analysis etc.
Both short or longer term therapy considered for issues such as: Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Depression, Low Self-esteem, Loss & Bereavement, relationship problems (not Couples) & more.
Your overall well being is of central importance to me, to help you to lead a more fulfilling life during & after therapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am an Accredited Member of the National Counselling Society MNCS (Accred) - Membership No. NCS-15-02326, working under the NCS Code of Ethics (available to view online) which ensures your safety & confidentiality at all times. This involves regular monthly supervision & ongoing personal & professional development, offering you the most up-to-date service.
Training to date: Chrysalis Not for profit Ltd. NCS Accredited Professional Therapy Training endorsed by the Professional Standards Authority:
Aug 2019- Member of the National Counselling Society MNCS Accred. , having completed 100 hours supervised face-to-face counselling as a volunteer counsellor at Knowle West Health Association, a Counselling Charity in Bristol offering free open-ended counselling.
August 2018 Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (Ad Dip PC).
Feb 2017 Diploma in Counselling Skills & Theory Level 4 (Dip CST).
I also qualified as a Hypnotherapist (MHS) - Membership No. HYP14-01163. Registered with the National Hypnotherapy Society in 2015, following a life-long career as a Pharmacist. I feel that my dedication in this caring professional role has contributed towards developing a deeper level of empathy in relation to a wide range of medical conditions. This ultimately means that I can wholeheartedly support you on your therapeutic journey.
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.
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.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Self confidence
Low self-esteem
Grief & Bereavement counselling
Fees
£40.00 - £50.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Telephone or Zoom Video Counselling £50* (60 mins) *Effective from 06/04/24
Face to Face Sessions (60 mins) £50 per session
Limited concessionary appointments, when available at £45 Face-to-face (50-60 minutes) or £40 by Zoom Video
*Payment by Bank transfer, 12 - 24 hrs in advance of each session (details given during initial consultation).
Fee increases from 6th April 2024
When I work
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Flexible daytime appointments to suit:
Mon to Thurs 10- 5.00pm
Fri 10-2 pm
Minimum 12-24 hours notice of cancellation requested or 50% session fee applies.
Further information
Initially I offer a free telephone consultation (up to 15 minutes). This is an opportunity to introduce ourselves, find out how I can best help you based on your presenting issue & to confirm your availability. Alternatively we can correspond by email if preferred. Sometimes, if I consider your presenting issue to be an area requiring more specialised support e.g an eating disorder, phobias etc. then, in order to offer you the best quality of service, I can assist you with referral to a more appropriately experienced therapist, if required. Once we both feel comfortable working together then a mutually convenient date & time is arranged for your first session.
Counselling sessions provide a safe & confidential space to explore your issues & during Session 1, we work collaboratively to define a realistic 'goal' for therapy based on your initial presenting issue.
A therapeutic contract is discussed to provide more information about me & the way I work. It also sets out practical ways of working to ensure your safety & privacy when working online etc. Once you're happy with everything a signature is requested to express your agreement & your consent to proceed.
How many times have you told yourself "I wish I didn't feel like this" , "anxious all the time".. "no confidence in anything I do"! "I need to change because life isn't worth living like this...", then it may be time to decide to make a few changes. Accepting that you want to change can make all the difference.
I appreciate that making this first brave step to take up counselling sessions, may be a fearful step for you but once you've decided that "enough is enough", counselling can offer you a safe, calm & non-judgmental environment to explore issues & uncover emotions which have been sub-consciously buried for far too long. This can often be the cause of build-up of tension in the form of anxiety . This first brave step is all it takes to help explore & release unnecessary tension, often associated with unacknowledged guilt, shame, internalised anger, emotional abuse & much more, depending on your individual experience.
With my support, we can work together in a collaborative way, at your own pace, in a one-to-one confidential environment to explore the wider picture. Creating small changes gradually throughout the therapeutic process & finding new more effective ways of coping will help you to live your life in a more contented & fulfilling way, during & after therapy.
