A calm space to explore what’s going on for you
When life feels heavy, confusing, or stuck, it can help to talk with someone who listens carefully and works alongside you at your pace. I offer individual counselling and psychotherapy for adults, grounded in a compassionate, humanistic approach.
Matthew Smith MBACP
I’m a counsellor working with adults, offering a calm, thoughtful space to explore difficult thoughts, feelings, or experiences at a pace that feels right for you.
My approach is grounded in empathy and compassion, with an emphasis on helping people feel understood and supported rather than judged. Many of the people I work with value the steady, reflective quality of the work we do together.
How I Work
Therapy with me is collaborative and responsive to what you need in the moment. Some sessions involve simply talking and being listened to carefully, with space to slow things down and make sense of what you’re experiencing. At other times, we may work more reflectively or experientially, noticing thoughts, feelings, or patterns as they arise.
I work from a humanistic perspective, trusting in each person’s capacity to find their own understanding and direction. Rather than offering solutions or advice, my role is to support you in exploring your experience and reconnecting with what feels meaningful or true for you.
I’m particularly attentive to experiences that can feel uncomfortable or difficult to share — such as self-criticism, doubt, or feelings shaped by past relationships or life experiences. Being able to explore these in a compassionate, non-judgemental space can help soften their hold and create room for greater ease and self-understanding.
We work at a pace that feels right for you. There’s no expectation to talk about anything before you’re ready, and no set agenda to follow. The focus is on helping you feel understood, supported, and more connected to yourself over time.
Who I Work With
I work with adults from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. People come to therapy for many different reasons — sometimes in response to loss, illness, relationship difficulties, or major life changes, and sometimes with a quieter sense of feeling stuck, low, or disconnected.
You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong to begin. I aim to offer a space where you can bring whatever you’re carrying and explore it without pressure or judgement.
Sessions & Locations
I offer individual counselling for adults, with face-to-face sessions currently available in Stroud and Nailsworth, as well as online.
I work with people across the Cotswolds, including Stroud, Nailsworth, Tetbury, Dursley, Gloucester, and Cheltenham, and the surrounding areas.
Sessions last 50 minutes. If you’re considering therapy and would like to ask any questions or arrange an initial session, you’re welcome to get in touch.