Carla Smith

I am available on Mondays & Fridays during the daytime at the moment.

If you make an initial call/email, I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Hi, my name is Carla, I am a fully qualified and experienced psychotherapist with a BSc Hons degree in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, obtained from the highly esteemed Sherwood Institute. I have a passion for supporting each individual’s unique journey to achieve their full potential by providing a confidential space to reflect and reassess.

I have supported both adolescents and adults to gain a stronger understanding of their own emotional wellbeing. Currently alongside my private practice I work as a counsellor/psychotherapist in a hospice faciality helping both patients and their families with a particular focus on grief management.

My training and current work have shaped my development as a psychotherapist and I have a vast knowledge and experience around the following key areas: bereavement, depression, emotional instability, self-destructive behaviours, stress, relationship issues, abuse, overwhelm, anxiety and trauma. I have worked within education, private practice and the public service environment. I am also trained in ACT therapy (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) useful for individuals who are facing life limiting illness such as cancer or life altering change or disability. I am currently part of a research trial using ACT for MND (Motor Neurone Disease).

My private practice is located within my residence in the rural village of Diseworth, Derbyshire. The village is ideally located having excellent transport links between Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.

My approach as a psychotherapist is built around my personal belief that every individual has a unique road that has led them to need support to overcome barriers in the way of reaching their full potential. I am passionate and committed to helping people and continuously adapt my practice to suit your needs and work together to ensure positive change and self-growth. Therapy is most effective when the relationship between yourself and your psychotherapist is valued, which is why I focus on this relationship. Working together we will aim to unpick your thoughts and beliefs in order to reflect and understand how to make positive changes and empower yourself.

Professional Specialties

• Bereavement

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Stress and Overwhelm

• Childhood Development

• Confidence & Self Worth

• Emotional Instability and Impulsivity

• Trauma

• Panic Attacks

• Relationships

• Redundancy

• Abuse & Neglect

• Divorce or separation

• Isolation and loneliness

• Major life changes

• Self-Destructive Behaviours

The therapeutic relationship between client and therapist is fundamental to ensure safe and ethical therapy occurs. Following an initial telephone call our first session will be getting to know each other, building an honest and trustworthy relationship together to achieve a successful outcome for you.

If you decide to continue, we will then form a plan of how we will work together to help you achieve new positive goals and overcome issues in your life that are impacting you today.