Lucy Smith

Hi and thank you for visiting my profile.

Are you struggling with an issue that's holding you back, feeling overwhelmed, or wanting to make sense of past experiences? Sometimes we all need support to understand our thoughts and feelings and find a way forward.

My counselling practice offers a safe, supportive environment that affirms cultural and identity differences. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming, work in a trauma-informed way, and have experience supporting neurodivergent individuals and trainee counsellors requiring personal therapy.

I am an experienced person-centred counsellor who integrates other approaches when appropriate. I tailor therapy to your individual needs and what you hope to achieve. Together, we'll create a space where you can explore what's going on for you, gain insight, self-understanding, and clarity and develop the confidence to move forward.

My background:

Before starting my practice, I worked as a counselling service manager and counsellor for a mental health charity as well as providing counselling in schools and for a bereavement service.

My counselling experience includes working with domestic abuse and sexual violence, childhood trauma, bereavement and complex grief, employment support and a wide range of mental health issues. 

Relationship Counselling:

Relationships can come under pressure from everyday life or as a result of difficult events and experiences. In relationship counselling, I offer a safe, neutral space to explore feelings, strengthen connection and develop healthier communication.

How I work:

I can work with you over an agreed time period, short or long term or on an open-ended basis.

Sessions for both individual and relationship counselling are 60 minutes. Sessions of 90 minutes are also available for relationship counselling. 

Where sessions are held:

My counselling practice is based in North Shields and is conveniently located in the town centre close next to the metro and buses or there is on street parking close by. 

I also offer online sessions to suit client need. 

Prior to starting therapy, I offer a free 20-minute phone call to answer any questions you may have and to help us both decide whether I am the right counsellor for you. If you choose to proceed, we can then arrange your first session.

The first session provides an opportunity for us to explore in more depth what has brought you to therapy. I will ask some questions to help me understand your needs, and together we can consider what you would like to achieve and agree on the best way forward.

I have availability for new supervisees.

Hi and welcome to my supervisor profile. 

My approach to supervision is collaborative, supportive and reflective, grounded in the Proctor Model and informed by my core person-centred philosophy. I aim to create a safe space where supervisees can explore their client work, professional development and the personal impact of their practice.

My supervisor training was in Creative Supervision, including psychodrama, and I enjoy integrating a range of creative techniques and interventions where these support reflection, insight and learning.

I have 15 years' experience as a therapist and have been supervising for 8 years. I have supervised both trainee and qualified counsellors across placements, private practice, voluntary sector organisations and educational settings.

Alongside my clinical work, I have experience as a counselling service manager, supporting, training and managing both trainee and qualified counsellors. This experience has given me a strong understanding of the developmental needs of counsellors at different stages of their professional journey and the challenges that can arise within organisational settings.

My clinical background includes domestic abuse and sexual violence, trauma, loss and bereavement, relationships, neurodivergence and LGBTQIA+ issues. I am also a relationship counsellor.

I am an identity-affirming therapist and supervisor and welcome reflection on the way our identities, values and experiences intersect with our client work. I have experience supporting neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ counsellors and work in a way that recognises and values difference.

I also offer ad hoc or short-term supervision for practitioners seeking additional support with specific pieces of work, increased caseload complexity or professional development.

I offer supervision face to face or online.