Philip Smyth, BACP

Philip Smyth is a BACP counsellor who moved from a business background into therapy after personal experience with talking therapy. He began helping people because he saw how much a conversation can change things. He offers a calm and straightforward presence and encourages people to take small steps when they first reach out.

Philip has four years of professional experience supporting people with stress, anxiety and low self-esteem. He also works with depression, grief, addiction concerns and family problems. He helps people talk through relationship issues, parenting strain and intimacy-related difficulties in plain, honest language.

His way of working blends client-centred listening with practical tools from cognitive behavioural therapy and relationship-focused methods. He also draws on psychodynamic ideas to help people understand patterns from the past. Sessions aim to be collaborative, with the client setting goals and Philip offering techniques and questions to try between meetings.

Philip often supports people coping with life changes such as separation, fertility challenges, career shifts or bereavement. He also addresses attachment issues, communication problems, guilt and shame, and feelings of emptiness or isolation. He explains options clearly and helps people choose next steps that fit their day-to-day lives.

Sessions are conducted in English and Philip accepts clients in the United Kingdom as well as international clients. He invites people to begin by pressing the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire, which leads to scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and following what matters most to the person. It helps when someone needs a non-judgemental space to talk through stress, grief or life changes and to build confidence in their own decisions.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, uses practical techniques to spot unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviours. It can be useful for anxiety, low mood and managing day-to-day stress with clear, actionable steps.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Philip will talk with the client about goals, personal preferences and what feels most useful. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.

If you want online sessions, please confirm the current formats before booking. The profile does not list specific session types, so check what is offered when you match. Online counselling can make it easier to fit appointments around work and family, cut travel time and let people choose a quieter setting for a focused conversation. It can also allow a shorter check-in when schedules require it, or avoid being on camera if that feels better.