Get to know us - Dr Amy Smith

I’m Dr Amy Smith, a fully qualified and HCPC-registered Counselling Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience supporting adults to improve their mental health and interpersonal relationships. I have extensive experience providing short- and long-term, evidence-based psychotherapy and counselling to individuals presenting with a wide range of mental health difficulties.

I have worked with individuals experiencing a range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, work-related stress, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), eating difficulties, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, and physical health difficulties. I also have extensive experience supporting people working in high-pressure, high-responsibility roles, where demands are high and stress can impact wellbeing, relationships, and overall quality of life. My experience spans a variety of settings and diverse communities, allowing me to work flexibly and sensitively with people from different backgrounds.

I work in an integrative way; however, I primarily draw upon Schema Therapy, alongside Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). These approaches enable us to explore both the deeper-rooted patterns that may have developed over time, as well as the present-day thoughts, behaviours, and emotional processes that may be maintaining current difficulties.

My work begins in an explorative and collaborative way. I take time to complete an in-depth assessment to develop a thorough understanding of your difficulties, which helps inform a shared formulation of what is happening and why. Together, we explore patterns, make links between past and present experiences, and highlight processes that may be maintaining current challenges, with the aim of increasing psychological awareness and insight.

Alongside this exploratory work, I introduce relevant therapeutic tools, concepts, and strategies, interweaving these into our sessions in a way that feels meaningful and practical. This supports you to apply what we explore in therapy to everyday life, helping to bring about sustained and meaningful change over time.

I am passionate about helping individuals explore and make sense of their difficulties. I work collaboratively to support people in developing new ways of relating to themselves and others that enable lasting change. My aim is to help individuals feel empowered and better able to live more fulfilling and satisfying lives, while feeling supported through any challenges they face.

I believe a strong therapeutic relationship is central to effective therapy. I aim to offer a warm, compassionate, and non-judgemental space where individuals feel safe, understood, and at ease. I am relatable and down-to-earth, and I strive to create an environment where clients feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to therapy.

I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and I adhere to the high clinical and ethical standards set by these professional bodies.

Issues I can work with:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic Disorder
• Social Anxiety
• OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
• Health Anxiety
• Specific Phobias
• GAD
• Anger
• Personality Disorders
• Eating Disorder
• Physical Health Problems
• Chronic Pain
• Chronic Fatigue (M.E.)
• Work Stress
• Low Confidence/Esteem
• Psychosis
• Bereavement

Insurances I work with: AXA, Aviva, CIGNA, Simply Health, WPA and others.

Author of articles and pages on:

Depression, Anxiety, Bereavement, OCD, Anger Management, CBT.

Publications:

Smith, Amy Joanna (2017) Acceptance and commitment therapy for depression and anxiety : an interpretative phenomenological analysis of clients’ experiences in a group context. Doctoral thesis, London Metropolitan University.