Ian Smith, BACP

Ian Smith helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, low mood or major life changes. He works with adults facing addiction, grief, relationship strain, parenting pressures and a range of other concerns. Ian uses clear, everyday language and aims to make sessions straightforward and practical.

He has ten years of experience in social services and mental health settings. Over that time he has supported people from many backgrounds with issues such as depression, ADHD, trauma and compassion fatigue. He also works with people dealing with ageing and geriatric issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness and bereavement.

Ian focuses on starting where the person is. He builds on what already helps and together they agree small, realistic steps to try between sessions. Conversations are collaborative and paced to suit each person’s comfort and needs.

His approach draws on a mix of methods including acceptance and commitment ideas, attachment-based thinking, cognitive behavioural techniques and skills from dialectical behaviour work. He uses these tools to help people notice patterns, practise new ways of coping and set goals that matter to them.

Sessions are intended to be non-judgemental and practical. To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to availability. Ian works in English and accepts international clients.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and commit to actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, depression and coping with difficult life changes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, CBT, focuses on spotting thought and behaviour patterns and testing small changes to see what helps. It is often used for anxiety, low mood and sleep problems. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at relationship patterns and how early bonds affect present connections, which can help with intimacy, grief and caregiver stress.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods that fit the person’s needs, and adjust the plan as work progresses. Clients are involved in deciding what feels most useful and realistic for them.

Confirm the available session formats before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week and reduce time spent travelling. Video or phone conversations can allow focused check-ins, brief skills practice or longer reflective sessions depending on what the client prefers and what is offered. The emphasis is on practical, manageable steps that fit everyday life.