A different relationship with yourself; new possibilities for living.
Individual counselling for adults in Stroud, Nailsworth, Painswick, and online.
An integrative, relational and experiential approach, informed by humanistic, emotion-focused and psychodynamic perspectives.
Matthew Smith MBACP
Therapeutic Counsellor
I'm Matt, a professional counsellor and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I offer an empathic approach, supporting you to develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your emotional experiences. Together, we can explore the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and the feelings and experiences that lie beneath them. By giving these experiences space to be felt and understood, new meaning can emerge, opening up possibilities for change.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, Nailsworth, Painswick and online.
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.