Sarah Smyth

Hello. Anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and other forms of mental ill-health do not appear in a vacuum. Therapy can be a powerful way to make sense of why you are feeling the way you do, and to understand how to make changes that will help.

Why do I feel like this?

How we are feeling is most often a symptom of what has happened to us in the past, and what is happening in our lives now, whether that be in the context of immediate family, wider relationships, or our work, cultural and social situations.

If you are reading this, you have probably reached a point where you would like some help and understanding so that you can take stock, re-set, and start to feel more in control.

How can therapy help?

The aim of the therapy I provide is threefold -to work with you to understand what is at the root cause of your current symptoms, to equip you with the resilience to face the challenges in your life, and to empower you to make changes.

What type of therapy do you offer?

I am an integrative counsellor, which means I draw on different theories and models which are relevant to your personal exploration, including interventions from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), insights from psychodynamic counselling, and practical models from transactional analysis. Whilst I am qualified in providing these therapy models, I am always person-centred at my core, which means that above all else, I will be authentic, empathic and non-judgmental in our sessions.

I commit to providing you with a safe, confidential, supportive environment in which you can explore the issues that have brought you to counselling. I believe in your innate ability to know what is best for you, and also in your autonomy.

Mental and physical ill-health are often related. If you would like to, we can discuss strategies for small and manageable lifestyle changes. I am also happy to consider ‘walk and talk’ sessions where it is practical, once we have had a few sessions together first.

What can I expect?

I offer face to face counselling from the Treatment rooms in Knowle, as well as online and telephone counselling. 

I am always happy to have a fifteen minute telephone call, free of cost, to discuss any questions you may have before making your decision, and our availability (my normal hours are 8am-6pm Monday - Friday). 

If you decide to proceed, we will arrange an initial session of up to 50 minutes, during which we will talk through the reasons you have come for therapy, share information, and decide whether working together would be the best fit for you.

What happens next?

If we decide working together will be in your best interests, we will agree the most beneficial way to work together (either in person, online or by telephone), and then begin straightaway, working in weekly or fortnightly 50 minute sessions. 

I offer a trainee counsellor discount rate of £50