A calm, thoughtful space to explore and understand your experience
When life feels heavy, confusing, or stuck, it can help to talk with someone who can help you make sense of what you’re experiencing. I offer individual counselling and psychotherapy for adults, grounded in a humanistic, compassionate approach.
Matthew Smith MBACP
Pyschotherapeutic Counsellor
I work with adults, offering counselling and psychotherapy in a steady, reflective way. My work focuses on helping people make sense of difficult thoughts, feelings, and patterns, at a pace that feels right for them.
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My approach is humanistic and collaborative, with an emphasis on understanding emotional and relational experience. The work supports reflection, insight, and meaningful change over time. Many of the people I work with value the depth, care, and 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 talking and being listened to carefully, with space to slow things down and make sense of what you’re experiencing. At other times, the work may be more reflective or experiential, noticing thoughts, feelings, or patterns as they arise.
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I work from a humanistic perspective, with an emphasis on understanding emotional and relational experience. My role is to support exploration and reflection, helping you reconnect with what feels meaningful or true for you.
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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. Having space to explore these can help soften their hold and support greater self-understanding over time.
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We work at a pace that feels right for you. There is no set agenda, and no expectation to talk about anything before you’re ready. The focus is on helping you feel understood, supported, and more connected to yourself as the work unfolds.
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.
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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 Gloucester, Stroud, Nailsworth, and Painswick, as well as online.
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​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.