Ian Smith, BACP

Ian Smith helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, relationship strain, sexual and intimacy difficulties, addiction or low mood. He is based in the United Kingdom and works in English. Ian has ten years of experience in social services and mental health settings, and brings a straightforward, practical style to conversations about difficult issues.

He aims to create an open, non-judgemental space where people can talk about thoughts and feelings. Ian begins from where a person is right now, not from a fixed plan. He focuses on what is already helpful in a person's life and builds on those strengths.

Ian uses a mix of approaches tailored to each person. He draws on cognitive behavioural ideas to spot unhelpful thinking, acceptance and commitment strategies to clarify values, and attachment-informed thinking to look at how relationships affect wellbeing. He also uses client-centred principles, listening carefully and following the client’s lead.

Sessions are conversational but goal-focused. Ian works alongside people to set practical steps they can try between sessions. He also supports those facing grief, trauma, parenting challenges, workplace strain, ADHD-related difficulties and a range of other concerns listed in his profile.

People who choose Ian can expect a calm, collaborative process. He invites clients to shape the pace and content of therapy, and to review progress as the work continues.

How Ian uses therapy approaches online

Ian draws on cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and attachment-based ideas to help clients explore problems and make practical changes. Cognitive behavioural therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and helps people test and change unhelpful thinking. Acceptance and commitment therapy focuses on clarifying what matters to a person and building small, committed steps towards those values. Attachment-based approaches look at patterns in relationships and how early and current connections affect emotions and behaviour.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Ian will talk with each person about goals and preferences, and then try methods that suit their situation. This is a collaborative process that can be adjusted as therapy progresses.

Confirm the session formats before you book since the profile does not list specific options. Online counselling can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, avoid travel time and check in from different locations. Some formats also let people choose shorter check-ins or audio-only meetings when that better fits their day. Registered or accredited professionals can work with clients across locations, and Ian accepts international clients; discuss practical arrangements when you start the matching process.