Counsellor and Therapist
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"
Lao Tzu
Counselling and therapy for individuals in a safe, comfortable and private setting
My journey is a continuing one – exploring, observing, and learning. It has shown me the value of shaping space to talk, feel and build relationships of trust and understanding.
I have worked with people with varying support needs for many years, providing advice, family mediation and advocacy.
I chose to train as a therapist as I recognised that offering a listening space and the opportunity to explore underlying issues, is central to our health, emotional wellbeing, and quality of life.
I completed a BACP accredited Person-Centred counselling course, qualifying in 2005. For a number of years, I volunteered at a young person’s counselling service and have been working in private practice with adults and young people for the past 8 years.
Alongside my counselling practice, I am a Restorative Justice practitioner working in community and family mediation, supporting people to resolve interpersonal conflict. I also facilitate circles where people can share stories of their lives in a space of safety and trust.
This site is my way of letting you know who I am and how I practice.
Qualifications
2003 – 2005 (BACP accredited course)
Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling, Lewisham College
2017 - 2018
Level 5 Restorative Approaches: Theory & Practice, University of Greenwich
Practitioner - Restorative Justice Council (RJC)
Memberships
BACP Registered member
(British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy)
RJC member
(Restorative Justice Council)
"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination"
~ Carl Rogers
How I Work
Everyone comes to counselling with a unique life story. As a Person-Centred counsellor I work with positive regard for who you are without judgement or conditions. Trust and understanding are essential in the building of relationships, and I offer a space that I hope will enable you to explore your thoughts and feelings freely and creatively. My focus is to ensure this space is one in which acceptance and respect are established so you can feel secure enough to travel in the directions that are important to you. I will support you to work through the issues you share, helping you understand how they may be impacting your sense of wellbeing
"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination" (Rogers, 1967)
I am also interested in the way physical responses in our bodies can communicate long held stress and trauma and how this non-verbal language contributes to the therapeutic process, connecting mind and body:
“… what has happened cannot be undone. But what can be dealt with are the imprints of (the) trauma on body, mind, and soul…The challenge of recovery is to re-establish ownership of your body and your mind – of your self.” (Bessel Van Der Kolk, 2014)
I am aware of the multiple ways institutional systems and structures can impact our lives depending on how we have been labelled and perceived and I try to ensure that the space we build in therapy makes room to unpack and understand this.
What issues can counselling help with?
People come to me for counselling support around a wide range of issues such as:
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Feelings of stress
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Abuse
Depression
Anger management
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Problems with family or school life
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
"The challenge of recovery is to re-establish ownership of your body and your mind – of your self”
~ Bessel Van Der Kolk
Session Information
I offer sessions in person, online or by phone depending on your location and circumstances.
Initial meetings:
FREE
I don’t charge for the initial meeting as I’m aware that you may be considering more than one counsellor to see who you feel comfortable with. This session is a space to introduce ourselves and get a sense of each other and how we might work together should we decide to go ahead on a regular basis. It is also a space to raise any questions or concerns about the counselling process.
Standard 60-minute sessions:
£60
I know it isn’t always easy to factor in that amount depending on income and circumstances, so I do have some space to negotiate if the cost is prohibitive.
We usually start off with 6 weekly sessions and at the 6th session we will review our work together and discuss how you are feeling and any concerns you may have. We can then decide whether or not to continue.
Click here to email me with your enquiry.
Restorative Practice
Restorative practice is an ancient tradition that honours humans as social beings whose need to belong, to be seen, and to be respected is central to community peace and cooperation. It builds spaces for people to feel trusting and open enough to share their stories and feel heard.
These spaces can be in the form of circles where individual and systemic issues/problems can be expressed, acknowledged, and validated. They can also support people who have been harmed, and those who have harmed, to speak to and hear each other’s truth and come to a place of awareness and accountability.
Mediation is another form of Restorative practice offering people in conflict the opportunity to mediate and work through their differences non-violently, to meet each other 'beyond wrongdoing and right doing' and recognise the person(s) behind the behaviours.
I have practised as a family mediator /restorative practitioner for over 10 years and continue to offer this service.
Following an initial meeting at no charge, my fees are either £60 an hour or can be arranged in blocks of 4 x 1hour meetings at £200. Any extra hours are £60 unless a further 4 meetings are required. The first meeting will give us an idea of the issues involved which, in turn, will help us consider the number of ongoing sessions we might need.
If you would like an initial session, please contact me via email.
I also work with a collective of facilitators – Understanding People (UP) project - offering a restorative service to workplaces, schools, families, and communities. Our vision is to facilitate open communication so that conflict and difference can be worked through in a respectful, non-violent way. This can take place in group settings or between individuals depending on the needs expressed.
Build UP - There might be a need for groups to reflect on and understand issues that are affecting them – such as work pressures/expectations or global challenges.
Fix UP - Or there may be specific incidents that require facilitators to provide support to those involved, so difficult conversations can take place that enable participants to acknowledge the impact of harm and find ways to move on.
Link UP - We can also provide workshops and continuing support around the implementation of restorative principles and practices within institutions as a whole.
For more information, please follow this link : https://www.upproject.uk/
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons why you are thinking of engaging in counselling or restorative services. You can also call me on 07977473720 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first.
I see clients face-to-face from Brixton and the surrounding areas, including Tulse Hill, West Norwood, Herne Hill, Brixton Hill, Streatham. I also offer telephone or online sessions to clients from throughout the UK.
©2023 Rebecca Spencer-Smith
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