Patrick Smyth
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I have been involved in counselling since 2004. In that time, I have helped a wide range of clients, with issues such as bereavement, serious illness, depression, anxiety, self-harm, addictions, suicidal feelings, anger, family problems, sexuality and relationship difficulties.
In addition to my counselling experience, I also have a background in people management, training and teaching. My many years of experience in building and maintaining relationships, together with my own life experience, are the foundations on which my work as a counsellor is based.
I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling from the Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, which is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the main regulatory body for counselling and psychotherapy in the UK. I have trained with an integrative counselling model, which allows me to draw on the strengths of the three main counselling approaches: person centred, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapy.
As important as a solid theoretical training is, I believe that the unique relationship between counsellor and client is the most important factor in producing positive change. Because it's important for you to choose the counsellor that's right for you, I offer an introductory session for £25. There is no obligation and if you decide not to go ahead, I’ll be happy to direct you to other services that better meet your needs. I will work with you to develop a relationship based on understanding, acceptance and sincerity that will allow you to explore who you are, what makes you happy - and what makes you unhappy.
Ultimately, I believe that you are the expert when it comes to you and your life. You alone have the ability and the right to decide what is best for you - and how to make the changes you need to create the life you want for yourself.
I am a fully accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and I am bound by their standards and ethics. This means that you can be assured that I will act in your interests - and yours alone. It also means that you will be afforded the care, confidentiality and respect to which you are entitled. I am a full accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a post-graduate Diploma in Counselling from Queen Margaret University and a Certificate in Counselling Skills from COSCA.
I am an accreditited member of the British Associatioon of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
I have worked as a counsellor for over 15 years, helping clients with a range of problems including anxiety, depression, addictions, andrelationship issues.
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
Fees
£50.00 per session
Additional information
The first session costs £25. This is intended to give you an opportunity to decide whether you think counselling is your best way forward and whether I am the right counsellor for you. Subsequent sessions cost £50 for one hour.
When I work
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My final session is from 5:30pm - -6:30pm
Further information
I am trained and experienced in working with the three main counselling approaches: psychodynamic, person centred and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The approach taken is tailored to the individual client and their needs. That said, research shows us that the most important factor in therapy is the relationship between client and counsellor and my priority is always to provide a safe, confidential, supportive and accepting environment for us to work in.
In addition to offering online counselling, I work from the centre of Musselburgh for face to face counselling. If you need to use public transport, Musselburgh High Street has excellent bus serivces and is only 2-3 minutes walk away.
Appointments are available Mon - Fri during the day and also on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
