Mark Smith, BACP

Mark Smith is a counsellor with 12 years' experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, anger and self-esteem problems. He also supports people facing relationship and family concerns, grief, intimacy issues and life transitions. Mark works with those affected by first responder and veteran issues, as well as anyone coping with chronic illness, body image worries, or difficulties after sexual assault.

He describes himself as an integrative counsellor and draws on several therapy styles to suit each person. Sessions focus on what the client wants to talk about and on practical steps they can take between meetings. Mark aims for a warm, non-judgemental tone and adapts pace to each person.

In practice he mixes client-centred listening with cognitive behavioural ideas when helpful. He also uses trauma-focused methods and psychodynamic thinking for people who want to look at deeper patterns. Existential ideas can help clients facing meaning, loss or change.

Mark offers a calm space to talk through difficult feelings and puzzling patterns. He works collaboratively to identify what matters most and to set small, achievable goals. Sessions can include coping strategies, thought-work and opportunities to reflect on past experiences that still cause distress.

He holds BACP, which indicates registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Sessions are offered in English and take place in the United Kingdom. Before booking, readers should confirm the current session formats on the booking page.

How approaches and online working come together

Client-Centred Therapy puts the person at the heart of the work by prioritising listening and the client’s own goals. It helps when someone needs a space to be heard and to make sense of feelings without pressure. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and offers simple strategies to change unhelpful patterns; it often helps with anxiety, low mood and stress. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on working safely with distressing memories and their effects, using careful steps to reduce symptoms and improve day-to-day coping.

Finding the right approach is a shared process. Mark will work with each person to choose or blend methods that suit their goals, preferences and life circumstances. He aims to check in regularly and adjust the way he works as progress and needs become clearer.

Session arrangements should be confirmed before booking because specific formats are not fully listed in the biography. Online therapy can make it easier to attend sessions around work, reduce travel time and fit counselling into a busy week. It can also allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, or let someone avoid camera use if they prefer. Ask about the available session options when you schedule so arrangements match your needs.