Ian Smith , BACP

Ian Smith is a licensed counselling therapist based in the United Kingdom with accreditation from the BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK. He brings a decade of experience working across social services and mental health settings, supporting individuals, children, and families from diverse backgrounds who are facing stress, anxiety, addiction, depression and a range of other mental health concerns.

Ian focuses on creating an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts, feelings and difficult issues can be explored honestly. He begins therapy from the client’s current place in life, valuing what already works and building on those strengths to address areas of concern. His approach is collaborative, aligning therapeutic work with each person’s comfort level and goals.

With practical experience in both community and clinical environments, Ian aims to help people find manageable, meaningful ways to cope and move forward. He is accepting new clients, including those living internationally, and looks forward to supporting people who want to make positive changes in their lives.

Therapeutic approaches and online support with Ian

Ian draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy to guide his work. ACT helps people clarify their values and develop practical skills to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking meaningful action - it is often useful for anxiety, stress, and persistent rumination. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships shape current patterns in close relationships and can be helpful for relationship difficulties, abandonment issues, and intimacy-related concerns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration so that people feel understood and empowered to find their own solutions, which can support a wide range of concerns including depression and self-esteem issues.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Ian works collaboratively to identify what fits best with each person’s needs, goals, and preferences. He adapts techniques from these approaches to match individual circumstances and will discuss options together to shape a therapeutic plan.

Online therapy with Ian is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility and accessibility. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, accommodate different comfort levels for communication, and support people who are located in different regions or countries.