Mike Smith
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I’m a person-centred counsellor who is dedicated to offering support in a calm, compassionate, straightforward way. Whatever is troubling you, my hope is that together we can establish a therapeutic relationship where you feel safe and trusting enough to explore and work through the issues that matter to you.
I find that when people are given time and space to explore their inner experiences within a supportive counselling relationship, they can develop new insights in to their thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behaviour. I aim to be a warm, consistent presence, who will listen carefully with a genuine curiosity and help you to clarify your present situation and options available to you.
My counselling approach is rooted in respecting your individual experiences and personal perspective- I won’t make assumptions about your life or make judgements on how you should live it. Instead, I will meet you as you are, communicate openly, and use my training and experience to support you along the way.
I recognise that counselling can be a significant use of your time, energy, and money, and finding the right counsellor isn’t always easy. If you feel you might want to work together, but are unsure, I invite you to book a video call. This will give you a sense of what it might be like to work with me, and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. All initial calls are free, fully confidential and there is no obligation to book further sessions.
Training, qualifications & experience
My journey to becoming a counsellor began with my own experience as a client in my early 20’s. After a difficult period of personal doubt and struggle, counselling helped me to explore past experiences and allowed me to challenge the way I perceived myself and the world around me. It had a positive impact that continues to inform my practice today.
Before my counselling training, I worked in social care with individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying support needs. I have completed the COSCA 'Skills in Counselling' certificate and the BACP-accredited 'Professional Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
I have experience working with clients seeking support with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship problems, low self-esteem, anger, and grief. I have also supported people struggling with body image concerns, focus and attention difficulties, and experience of gender. Whatever you bring to therapy, I commit to meeting you exactly as you are, with empathy and acceptance.
Beyond my private practice, I volunteer as a counsellor for a local charity, providing weekly support to multiple clients. I also work part-time as a support worker for elderly people in the community, offering companionship and promoting independence.
Member organisations
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
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer in-person sessions from a bright, comfortable counselling space in the West End of Edinburgh.
I also offer online sessions via a range of video platforms.
All sessions last one hour.
When I work
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The hours listed above are for sessions based in the West End of Edinburgh. I may have further availability for online only sessions.
