Dhiren Doshi-Smith

I currently have availability for new clients and offer weekday sessions from morning through to early evening. I also keep a small number of later appointments for people working standard office hours, so please ask if you need something after work.

Sessions are available both online and in person, depending on what feels most comfortable and accessible for you.

My practice is rooted in working with queer people across the spectrum. Many clients come looking for a space where they do not have to explain themselves, justify who they are, or worry about being misunderstood. Whether you are questioning, out, private, loud, soft, or somewhere in between, you are welcome here.

I aim to keep my diary steady and predictable. Any planned time off is communicated well in advance so we can plan together without disruption.

If starting therapy feels overwhelming or you are unsure whether this is the right fit, we can arrange a short introductory call. This is a gentle, no-pressure way to get a sense of me and the space I offer.

You do not need the perfect words to begin.

I am a person-centred counsellor, which means our work is guided by you and the pace you need. My role is not to direct your life or give you answers, but to create a space where you can hear yourself more clearly, understand what has shaped you, and feel more connected to who you are becoming.

I work with many queer clients who want a therapist who understands the culture, the codes, the humour, the pressures and the unspoken realities of queer life. People often come carrying shame, rejection, identity questions, relationship difficulties, or the long-term impact of growing up feeling different. You do not need to educate me or edit yourself to be understood here.

My style is warm, steady and honest. When something feels tender, we slow down. When things feel confusing, we explore them together. When moments of insight arise, we stay with them so that change is not just intellectual, but something you can feel and live.

Therapy with me is collaborative. We check in regularly about what is helping and what is not. You lead the direction, and I support the process.

Above all, I offer a space where you can bring your full story 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 perform, shrink or hold yourself together. 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 rarely get spoken out loud.

Sessions move at your pace. Some people arrive with a clear focus. Others know something feels off. There is no pressure to be tidy, articulate or certain. Therapy is a place to slow down and make sense of what has been pushed aside.

Clients often describe the space as warm, grounded and real. We take the work seriously without making it heavy all the time. When things feel difficult, we honour that. When moments of humour or relief appear, we let them in.

You can expect consistency, transparency and an honest human relationship. I will not judge, rush or try to fix you. My role is to support your growth and self-understanding, not to tell you who you should be.

Whether you are navigating identity, relationships, self-worth, cultural pressure, or simply trying to feel more at home in yourself, your full experience is welcome here.

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

Before we meet, you will receive a short pre session form. This is not a clinical assessment. It simply helps us ground the session so you do not feel pressure to summarise your life or remember details on the spot. Anything that feels difficult can be talked through together.

The first session follows the same pace as ongoing therapy. Some people share a lot straight away. Others want to move slowly and focus on whether they feel safe and understood. Both are completely welcome.

I will always be transparent about fees, boundaries and how we work. You are also encouraged to ask questions about my approach, experience or anything else that matters to you.

By the end of the session, you should have a sense of whether the connection feels right. If it does, we can discuss next steps. If you are unsure, that is okay too. There is no pressure to commit.