About Philip
Philip Smyth trained in counselling after a spell in business and a personal encounter with therapy that changed his perspective. He now uses that experience to guide people through stress, anxiety, low mood and relationship difficulties. Philip holds BACP registration, which is shown as BACP in his credentials.
He offers sessions both online and by phone. Philip takes a straightforward, calm approach in sessions. He listens first and asks questions to understand what matters to the person sitting opposite him.
How Philip works
Conversations can focus on unpicking patterns, finding small changes that help day-to-day, and rebuilding trust or communication where relationships have become strained. Therapy with Philip often blends practical problem-solving and deeper exploration. He draws on client-centred work to keep the person’s experience central.
He also uses cognitive behavioural ideas to identify unhelpful thinking and Psychodynamic ideas to look at longer-standing patterns. When relationships are the focus he uses the Gottman Method and Imago Relationship Therapy techniques to improve how partners talk and connect. Sessions can include exercises to practise new ways of communicating and rebuilding emotional closeness.
Philip aims to create a space where people can be honest without feeling rushed. He will help you set realistic goals and check progress along the way. If you are thinking about starting, he understands that the first step can feel hard and will take things at a pace you choose.
Philip lists 6 ways of working on the entry:
What Philip works with
The areas below are the ones Philip selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Grief
Also listed
- Addictions
- Anger management
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Body image
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Coaching
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Emptiness
- Family conflicts
- Family problems
- Fertility issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Money and financial issues
- Parenting issues
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
- Workplace issues
Training and background
| Register | BACP |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 4 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | United Kingdom |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Therapy approaches and how they work online
Client-centred therapy focuses on the person and their experience. The therapist listens without judgment and helps people make sense of what matters to them. This approach can help when someone needs time to be heard and to explore feelings at their own pace.Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviours keep problems going. It teaches practical techniques to test unhelpful thoughts and try different actions. CBT is often useful for stress, anxiety, low mood and changing day-to-day reactions.
The Gottman Method and Imago Relationship ideas aim to improve how partners communicate and reconnect emotionally. They offer structured exercises to practise together and tools for handling conflict more constructively.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Philip will discuss goals and preferences and together you will choose which methods to try. He treats the process as collaborative and adjusts the plan if something does not feel helpful.
Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can be lighter on bandwidth and live chat or text messaging suit brief check-ins or when writing is easier. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into work, caring responsibilities or travel schedules while keeping the focus on progress and practical change.
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Common questions
What kinds of issues can Philip help with?
How would he approach my difficulty in sessions?
What experience does he bring to therapy?
Where is he based and what credential does he hold?
Can I work with him if I live outside the UK?
What session formats are available?
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
How do I begin working with him?
A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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