Philip Smyth

Philip Smyth is a counsellor with four years' experience who moved into therapy after facing his own life challenges. He trained and now holds BACP, which indicates his professional registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. He offers support for common problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and relationship difficulties, including anger and grief.

Philip began his working life in business and brings that practical perspective into sessions. He has helped people with family conflict, parenting strain, career pressures and addictions. He also offers support around intimacy, communication problems and the fallout from separation and infidelity.

His way of working is straightforward and people-centred. Sessions focus on what matters most to the client, with room to talk through feelings and practical steps to feel better. He combines approaches such as Client-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and psychodynamic ideas to match each person's needs.

Philip also uses relationship-focused methods like the Gottman Method and Imago Relationship Therapy when couples want to repair trust and improve emotional connection. He aims to help partners communicate differently and rebuild closeness over time.

Clients can expect a calm, non-judgemental space to talk and to make gradual changes. Philip encourages small experiments between sessions and practical coping strategies. He welcomes people who are ready to explore their feelings and try new ways of handling life’s pressures.

How Philip’s approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person's experience, offering a non-judgemental space where the therapist listens and reflects. This approach helps people who need someone to validate their feelings and to work out what they want next.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at patterns of thinking and behaviour that keep problems going. It is practical and often includes small tasks between sessions to try different ways of coping with anxiety, low mood or anger.

The Gottman Method and Imago Relationship Therapy help couples improve communication and rebuild emotional connection by learning practical skills for talking and resolving conflict.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Philip will discuss options with each person and tailor the plan to their goals, needs and preferences. He aims to make the process collaborative so clients understand why a particular method is being used.

If you are considering online sessions, check the current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow brief check-ins when needed. It can also offer quieter surroundings or a shorter format when attention or energy is limited. Registered or accredited professionals can adapt exercises, homework and relationship work for remote sessions to help progress between meetings.