Dhiren Doshi-Smith

I currently have space for new clients and offer weekday sessions from morning until early evening. I keep a few later slots for people who work office hours, so feel free to ask about those if you need something after work. Sessions take place either online or in person, whichever feels most comfortable for you.

My practice is rooted in working with queer people across the spectrum. Some clients come wanting to explore identity, shame, relationships or community pressures. Others want a space where they do not need to explain themselves, defend who they are, or risk being misunderstood. You are welcome precisely as you are, whether you are questioning, out, private, loud, soft, or somewhere in between.

I aim to keep my diary steady and predictable, and I will always communicate planned time off well in advance so you have space to prepare. If I am ever away for training or annual leave, I let clients know as early as possible, and we plan around it together.

If you are unsure whether to start or feel a bit overwhelmed and need a gentle entry point, reach out, and we can arrange a short introductory call. It is a chance for you to get a sense of me and for us to see whether working together feels right.

You do not have to arrive with the perfect words. You need to arrive.

I am a person-centred counsellor, which means the work is centred around you and the pace you need. My role is not to direct your life or hand you answers. I focus on creating a space where you can hear your own voice more clearly, understand what has been shaping your choices, and feel more connected to who you are becoming.

I work with many queer clients who want a therapist who gets the culture, the codes, the humour, the pressures and the unspoken stuff that sits beneath everyday life. Some people come with experiences of shame or rejection. Others come with questions about identity, intimacy, family expectations or the impact of growing up feeling different. You do not need to educate me or soften parts of yourself to be understood here.

My style is warm, steady, curious and always honest. If something feels tender, we take our time. If something feels confusing, we explore it gently. If moments of realisation arise, we stay with them so that the change you feel is not just insight but something that lands in your body and your day-to-day life.

Therapy with me is collaborative. We check in about what is working and what is not. You lead the direction, and I support the journey. I want you to leave sessions feeling more grounded, more self-aware and more able to trust your own instincts.

Above all, I offer a space where you can bring the full story of who you are without apology. Whether you arrive confident, cautious, curious or exhausted, there is room for you here.

My practice is built around creating a space where you do not have to shrink, edit or perform. Many of the people I work with are queer or questioning and want a therapist who understands the weight of identity, culture, community expectations and the quieter struggles that never make it into casual conversation. You can bring the parts of yourself that feel proud, messy, confused or hidden. All of it belongs.

Sessions move at your pace. Some people arrive with a clear focus. Others know something feels off, but cannot name it yet. We explore whatever comes up with honesty and curiosity. There is no pressure to be tidy or articulate. Therapy is a place to slow down and hear what has been pushed aside.

Clients often tell me they value the mix of warmth, humour and depth in the room. When things feel heavy, we honour that. When moments of lightness show up, we let them breathe. If patterns become clearer, we explore them together so you can decide what you want to hold onto and what you are ready to release.

You can expect consistency, transparency and a real human connection. I will always be honest with you, and I will never ask you to be anyone other than yourself. My role is to support your growth, not to tell you who you should be.

Whether you are navigating identity, relationships, self-worth, cultural pressures, or simply trying to feel more at home in yourself, this is a space where your full story is welcome.

Your first session is a chance to get a feel for me and the space I offer. There is no expectation for you to arrive with a polished story or a list of goals. We begin where you are.

Before the session, you will receive a short pre-session form. It is not an assessment in the traditional sense. It just gives us a bit of grounding, so you do not have to spend the first ten minutes remembering dates or trying to summarise your whole life. If anything feels difficult to answer, we talk it through together.

The first session follows the same pace as any other session. Some people want to share a lot straight away. Others want to go slowly and focus on whether they feel safe, seen and understood. Both approaches are welcome.

You will always get transparency about fees, boundaries and how we work together.

This initial conversation is also a space for you to ask questions about my approach, identity, experience or anything you want to understand better. You deserve to know who you are trusting with your story.

By the end of the first session, you should have a sense of whether the connection feels right. If it does, we can agree on a regular day and time. If you are unsure, we can reflect on that too. There is no pressure or obligation. It is about finding a space that genuinely supports you.