Mark Smith, BACP

Mark Smith is a counsellor with 12 years of experience who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression and life changes. He also supports those dealing with trauma, relationship and intimacy difficulties, grief, chronic health challenges and issues around self-worth. He presents himself as approachable and direct, aiming to make the first steps into therapy easier to take.

Mark draws on several established ways of working and adapts them to each person. He uses client-centred work to build a collaborative relationship. He can use cognitive behavioural ideas to help people spot and change unhelpful thinking patterns. He also brings elements of psychodynamic and existential thinking when exploring deeper life questions and past patterns.

Sessions focus on what the person needs that week. Some people want practical strategies and short-term coaching. Others prefer more open exploration over time. Mark says he tailors the pace and focus to each person rather than following a fixed script.

He offers telephone and online sessions and aims for an open, non-judgemental approach. People can expect a calm tone and clear talk about goals and steps to move forward. His BACP registration is listed as a professional credential.

Mark has particular experience supporting people with first responder or veteran backgrounds, survivors of abuse, and individuals living with chronic pain or illness. He also works with concerns such as anger, social anxiety, shame and attachment-related distress. He asks new clients to complete a short questionnaire to begin the matching and booking process.

How therapy approaches work online

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on building a supportive, respectful relationship and listening closely to what matters to the person. Online or on the phone this approach helps people feel heard and guide the session around their priorities.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions link together and teaches practical techniques to change patterns. It can be useful for anxiety, low mood and stress by introducing straightforward strategies and short exercises to practise between sessions.

Mark sees choosing an approach as a shared task. He will talk with the person about their goals and try different ways of working to find the best fit. Sessions can adapt over time - sometimes focusing on immediate coping skills, other times on exploring longer-standing patterns.

Please confirm which session formats are currently offered before booking, as the biography identifies online and telephone work but does not list all possible options. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Telephone sessions can be preferable when less bandwidth is available or when someone wants not to use video.