I am an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist, and a registered and accredited member of the BACP since 2009. I work with women and men, individuals and couples and have comfortable, safe and confidential rooms in North London. I have genuine interest in my clients, like to engage openly and talk in a jargon free way, developing a strong working relationship, showing empathy and building trust.
My Approach
Everyone has times when things aren’t going the way we might like. We can find ourselves anywhere from, a bit grey and unhappy, to, extremely dark and depressed, overwhelmed, stressed and spun out. We can get stuck in negative patterns of thinking which are difficult to break, become worried or anxious about the future, or unable to reconcile past decisions. A neutral space to think and feel can be extremely useful.
Increasingly I am contacted by men looking to explore certain areas of their lives. These are generally men with little or no experience of counselling or psychotherapy, who previously may have thought a ‘talking therapy’ wasn’t for them but were curious as to what was involved. They tell me there might be stigma attached to therapy, or a perceived sense of weakness for not being able to ‘sort things out’ on their own. What they invariably find is that opening up, talking about and addressing certain issues they might have, actually makes them stronger both mentally and emotionally, increasing their ability to communicate their thoughts and feelings and what they want. This can help with relationships, decision-making, confidence, self-belief, work aspirations and general enjoyment of life.
Qualifications and Experience
An experienced and fully qualified therapist and accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) (MBACP Accred.).
With a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of East London (accredited by the BACP) following on from a course in Psychotherapy at the London Centre for Psychotherapy and a Masters from the University of Edinburgh.
Originally from Manchester, via Edinburgh University, then ICU University in Tokyo followed by the University of East London UEL, with 4 years in New York, 3 years working at an independent school in Surrey and now 12 years in London, I have worked in education and management both in the UK and overseas for 20 years. I have worked therapeutically with people from many diverse backgrounds aged 11-65, counselling students and staff at City Lit in Covent Garden, Working Men’s College in Camden, Bridge Academy, Hackney New School and Hackney University Technical College and continue to work for a national mental health charity alongside private practice.
In private practice, I work in Central London at the Harley Street Therapy Centre, Harley Street W1 (close to Oxford Circus, Marylebone, Fitzrovia), and in Archway N19. I also represent a number of organisations across London including Harley Street Therapy Centre, psychotherapyUK, Central London Counselling, Place2Be and The London Counselling Collective.
I will always try and work with you in an engaging, interactive, honest and professional way.
Fees
- The initial session will be an opportunity for us both to discuss how we might work together.
- The cost of this initial assessment session is £80.
- Further fees are negotiated during this first session and are based on a sliding scale.
- You are under no obligation to have more than one session, this will be discussed when we meet.
- Individual sessions range from £80 to £120 per session.
- Each session lasts 50 minutes and starts from the time agreed.
- If you cancel with more than 48 hours notice you will not be charged.
- Sessions are offered by prior arrangement during the day, evenings and weekends.
Contact me
You can email me on info@stephensmiththerapy.com, or contact me by phone on 07790 011 757
