Phyllis Smith
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This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
About me
Who am I?
I am an accredited member of BACP and a supervisor. My professional interest is in anxiety and depression as well as multicultural issues. Having lived in Hong Kong previously and 25 years in England, I have met people from all walks of life and from all around the world. I am interested in psychology and counselling, and in people. I can speak English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Why counselling may help?
Counselling is a talking therapy whereby the counsellor will provide a safe space to listen to your emotional issues and try to understand the different threads in your life that might have contributed to the emotional distress you are experiencing now. The therapy process itself could be like a bridge for you to offload or process your issues but also to find a different perspective to approach life or look at personal issues. The ultimate aim is to facilitate some useful changes in life when you are ready to do so.
Uncertainty is one of the main factors that triggers anxiety. Counselling could provide a space for you to offload and process those anxious thoughts and to explore some useful coping strategies to deal with struggles in life.
Counselling can be a daunting experience, especially if you haven't done it before. It is my job to reassure you at our initial assessment session that counselling is what you are seeking and if not, I may be able to signpost you on to other agencies. The initial assessment session is also an opportunity for us to meet and understand a bit about each other, have a preliminary discussion of the issues you want to focus on and for you to decide whether we can work together in this collaborative partnership.
I provide counselling to your best interests with the ultimate goal that you will be able to understand more about yourself and the situations you are in, to develop insights about your own issues, and eventually to make changes that may transform your lives in the longer term.
I offer short-term (just a few sessions) and long-term counselling (open-end). The duration is to be discussed between you and me and will be reviewed regularly. Each session lasts for 50 minutes. I offer supervision sessions to individuals and groups. All sessions are conducted in person or via Zoom.
If you are not sure whether counselling is for you and what counselling is about, please feel free to contact me for a chat; there is no obligation to commit to it until and unless you feel sure.
What are my special interests?
Multicultural issues - Having lived in another country before, I have developed a strong interest in other cultures and the impact of cultural difference on people. My cosmopolitan experience also makes it easy for me to understand the difficult thoughts and feelings of people who have moved from a different country to the UK e.g. issues with integration, identity and cultural barriers. I am also experienced in exploring cultural issues relating to second and third generations.
University student work - I am currently working as a counsellor at University Counselling Service at Cambridge University where I work with undergraduate and postgraduate students on issues such as perfectionism, Imposter Syndrome, stress, anxiety, depression, identity and relationship issues. My warm and compassionate approach helps me to establish a good rapport with students and the use of CBT tools has been proven to be helpful to them.
Health-related issues - I have an amateurish interest in medicine and a passion in helping patients who are going through procedures, diagnostics and treatments and the aftermaths of illnesses and are experiencing a mixture of feelings such as anger, shock, fear, health anxiety and depression due to a medical condition or illness. I have worked in various roles in Addenbrooke’s Hospital and have substantial experience working with clinical psychologists, consultants, nurses and patients.
Mental health issues - I have completed a Mental Health First Aid course and I have had training in mental health first aid and SAGE and THYME® which enable me to identify and support patients with emotional distress. It is estimated that 1 in 4 people experienced ‘common mental disorder’ such as anxiety and depression, I believe that it’s my mission as a counsellor to contribute my expertise to help people to manage their mental health better.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications and professional membership:
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- MA in Language and Law (Distinction)
- BA in English Language and Literature
- Postgraduate Diploma in Law
- Accredited Member of BACP (MBACP Accred)
I am an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I am bound by the BACP's Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Experience:
I have experience in the following settings:
- Dialysis Unit in Addenbrooke’s Hospital counselling renal patients
- Cambridge Cancer Help Centre
- Netherhall School
- Centre 33
- Christ College, Cambridge University
- Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University
- Evolve Community Counselling
- Cambridge University Counselling Service (Current)
Training:
As a professional counsellor, I receive regular supervision and undergo continuing professional development to improve my skills and keep myself abreast of new ideas in the profession. Below are just a few of the training, workshops and courses I have pursued over the years:
- Attachment issues
- Solution-focus Brief Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Child Sexual Exploitation
- Children bereavement
- Grief and loss
- Level 2 Psychological Assessment Skills (in clinical setting)
- ADHD and autism
- Managing Risk, Self-harm and Suicidality
- Mental Health First Aid
- Psychosis
- Resilience
- SAGE and THYME® (to identify and support people with emotional distress in a clinical setting)
- Systemic Approach
- Self-harm and Risky Behaviour
- Trauma Therapy
- Single-session Therapy
- Group work
- Prescribed medication and therapy
- Menopause
- Motivational Interviewing
- Single Session Therapy (with Professor Windy Dryden)
- Intersectionality
Member organisations
school 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.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Adjustment issues as new emigrants
Identity issues as second/third generation emigrants
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
- Individual counselling: £55/session (50 minutes per session)
- Individual supervision: £65/session (50 minutes per session)
- Payment to be made via bank transfer in advance of each session
When I work
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Further information
I am fluent in English and Chinese (both Cantonese and Mandarin) and I can provide counselling in either language as you prefer. I also have a diploma in French.
