Adrian Wilson-Smith

Before training to be a counsellor, I spent 30 years in corporate change. This career of observing the human condition fuelled my interest in people and how the mind works, why we do the things we do and how our internal world manifests itself in our behaviour. I am therefore particularly aligned with people who work in pressurised environments. I was drawn to counselling by experiencing the transformation it brought to my life when I was in crisis. I continue though my desire to engage in meaningful work and by my inquisitiveness and love of people. Being able to step back in order to see the ‘bigger picture’ helps me identify people’s key relationships and understand their complexities.

I have a particular interest in how addiction, alcoholism, and other factors create havoc in our relationships I feel attuned to the sensitivities of broken hearts and broken families and the desire to heal the hurt that often is overwhelming. I have though worked with clients bringing a variety of issues and problems.

I have been in personal therapy myself which enables me to understand what it is like to work as a client. With this experience I also bring insight and gentle challenge when I feel it is beneficial to the therapy.

Life is not easy. Sometimes we can feel unprepared and unsure how to deal with what life throws our way. Working together, we will make sense of what you need to do to get through these difficult times. I provide a non-judgemental and supportive place for you to safely talk and be listened to.

I bring curiosity and dedication to the process of therapy and try to be as open-minded and sensitive as possible. I do not give advice or offer solutions. I aim to provide you with the space you need to express yourself, to make discoveries about who you are and to uncover new options which will allow you to grow.

Counselling offers space and time to consider your thoughts and feelings with someone out of your familiar circle. The counselling process is led by you and the work is on the issues that are important to you. The first session allows you to get the feel of what counselling is like and explore how you would like to proceed, there is no obligation to continue.

Trying to talk about personal things which are private, upsetting or that you can’t explain can feel awkward, embarrassing, risky and can be immensely difficult. I have been trained to help you share whatever troubles you are experiencing, even when they are ‘un-formed’ and you feel you don’t have the right words.

How often do you get personal time where you are listened to and where the focus is just on your own issues? When you don’t have to be concerned about the listener. This enables you to share your thoughts, feelings and emotions; and ‘to meet yourself’.

Counselling is helpful if you feel ‘stuck’. You may be anxious, depressed, lonely, lost, angry or any one of a range of feelings. 

Counselling is not about providing solutions; instead I will help you discover your own strengths and inner resources, thus enabling you to cope effectively with your life.

Areas and themes I have worked with in my clients:

Relationship issues

Couple counselling

Family issues

Recovery from alcoholism & addiction and effect on families

Childhood sexual, physical or emotional abuse

Resentment and forgiveness

Performance pressure and work life balance

I see clients in a Garden Room at my home near Clavering.

If after our initial meeting for which there is no charge, we decide to work together, we would meet generally weekly, for as long as the work continues to be effective and beneficial to you. I charge £60 per session though I am willing to always discuss this with any person who might struggle to afford these fees. I believe counselling should be available to as many people as possible; it is for that reason I also do voluntary counselling sessions at a charity.