Karen Smyth-Gaffney

I offer face to face sessions and online sessions in Glasgow and North Lanarkshire. I work in Kenilworth Medical Centre in Cumbernauld, G67 1BP, The Hive in Airdrie, ML6 0BN and The Wellbeing Rooms in Stepps G33 6EZ.

 All venues have private car parking available and are close to a train station and on the main bus route. I offer daytime and evening appointments.

Hello, I'm Karen - a CBT therapist who believes deeply in the power of feeling truly heard.

Like many people, I haven't travelled through life untouched by stress, loss, change, or emotional overwhelm. These experiences shape who I am as a therapist - grounded, calm, warm, open, and committed to meeting people exactly where they are.

My primary qualification is in evidence based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), however I believe no single approach fits every person or every situation. That's why I also integrate a range of therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of real people with real, complex lives.

Your therapy is shaped around you, not a rigid model. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, suicidal thoughts, OCD, PTSD, phobias, anger, trauma, relationship difficulties and emotional overload. My role is to help you understand what's going on beneath the surface and walk alongside you as you build clarity, resilience and balance.

* I do not offer a crisis service.

You may be coming to therapy feeling overwhelmed, anxious, low in mood, or unsure how to move forward. Perhaps you're experiencing changes in your life, difficulties in relationships, or a sense of being stuck in patterns that no longer feel helpful or serve you well. Whatever has brought you here, you don't need to have everything figured out before you begin.

I offer a warm, compassionate and supportive space where you can slow down, reflect, and speak openly about what's going on for you. Therapy with me is gentle, collaborative and led by your needs. We work at your pace, focusing on what feels most important to you, and creating a space where you feel listened to, respected and understood.

My approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which can help you explore the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and understand how these patterns may be affecting your well-being. Alongside this, I work in a holistic and person centred way, recognising that everyone's experiences are unique. Together, we can explore practical ways to help you cope more effectively, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with a sense of balance and self-confidence.

I work with adults experiencing anxiety, stress, low mood, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. Whether you are facing a specific challenge or simply feel that something isn't quite right, therapy can offer a supportive space to explore, understand and make gentle, meaningful changes.

Sessions are offered in person and online during the day and evening, providing flexibility and accessibility. My aim is to support you in feeling more at ease, more connected to yourself, and better equipped to navigate life's challenges.

Before agreeing to therapy, I offer a free 20 minute consultation by phone or online. This gives you the opportunity to briefly share what has brought you to therapy, ask any initial questions, and get a sense of whether working together feels right for you. There is no obligation to book further sessions after this call.

If you decide to go ahead, I will send you a therapy contract in advance of our first session. During the first session, we will take some time to go through this together, and you'll be invited to sign it once you feel comfortable. This helps to ensure clarity, boundaries, and a shared understanding of how we will work together.

The first session is a gentle continuation of the initial conversation we've already started. We'll spend time exploring what has brought you to therapy in more depth, picking up from where we left off in the initial consultation. I may ask some questions to help build a clearer picture of your experiences, and in some cases I may invite you to complete a simple assessment tool to support our understanding of your needs. You are always welcome to ask questions at any point.

Throughout the session, the focus is on helping you feel at ease, listened to, and supported. There is no pressure to share more than feels comfortable, and we will move at a pace that feels right for you.

Towards the end of the session, I will check in with you about how you found the experience and invite any feedback you'd like to share. We'll also discuss gentle self care or reflective suggestions you might find helpful between sessions. If it feels appropriate, I'll ask whether you would like to book another session and discuss the next steps together. There is no expectation to book another session.

Many people feel nervous before their first session, and that's completely natural. My aim is to create a calm, supportive and respectful environment where you can begin your therapeutic journey feeling safe and supported.