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humanistic therapy

Reconnect
With Your
Authenticity

Choosing the right type of therapy can be challenging, but research shows that the quality of your relationship with your therapist is key to the success of therapy. I've discovered that through feeling understood and valued, you naturally become better at offering that towards yourself.
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.
Carl Rogers
American Psychologist
Ela Smith - Psychotherapy

My Approach

Hi, I'm Ela, which is short for Nomzamela. I am an accredited, qualified Psychotherapist and a member of UCKP. I offer face-to-face therapy sessions in a private and comfortable space located in Stoke Newington, North London, as well as online therapy. If you're considering starting therapy with me, I offer a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation to get a sense of my approach and see if we're a good fit.
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My commitment lies in being warm, honest, and fully engaged in assisting you in making sense of your emotional world. Building trust is a priority for me, especially during those vulnerable and painful moments. I see therapy as a space where you can explore parts of yourself that you might otherwise not get to express.
Many of us learn growing up, that some of our needs or feelings are unacceptable, leading to feelings of shame and self-rejection. This can leave us feeling stuck and overwhelmed, wondering why we keep repeating the same patterns. I want to reassure you that this isn't a reflection of your character; it's based on ways we've adjusted to try and cope. I will take an active approach in our sessions, to help you increase your self-awareness by incorporating various creative tools and supportive resources.
Together, we can explore your life experiences and the meanings you've assigned to them. This can provide insight into the choices available to you in the present and empower you to experiment with new ways of being. I'll work alongside you to help you discover your unique path towards feeling comfortable in who you are and confronting life's many challenges.
Book a 20 minute consultation
Each of us secretly and desperately yearns to be 'met' to be recognised in our uniqueness, our fullness and our vulnerability.
Dr Richard Hycner
American Psychologist

My Background

I've been practicing as a therapist for six years, working with short-term and long-term clients in London and Dorset. Additionally, I've provided therapy for charitable organizations working with adult survivors of child sexual abuse and on psychiatric wards within the NHS. My extensive training includes a five-year Master of Science program in Humanistic Psychotherapy. The Humanistic approach, values clients as active participants in the therapeutic process. We aim to help you tap into your innate wisdom and potential. We also consider your cultural and social context, recognizing how it has shaped your experiences. My full name is South African as my family were at the forefront of the liberation movement. I strive towards an anti-oppressive practice and I value difference. I am someone who engages in ongoing professional and personal development to ensure I offer clients, skilled and current ways of working.
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My training encompassed three therapeutic modalities: Gestalt, Person-Centred, and Transactional Analysis. I primarily specialize in the Gestalt approach, which focuses on the holistic integration of your cognitions, emotions, sensations, and behaviours. Conditions like anxiety and depression often manifest physically as well as psychologically, such as chest tightness, nausea, breathlessness, or slowed movement. My Gestalt approach ensures that we attend to your entire experience, promoting lasting and profound therapeutic growth, rather than merely addressing surface-level symptoms.
Before my psychotherapy training, I spent over a decade in the education sector as a teacher and art consultant. This experience provided me with valuable insights into childhood development and attachment patterns. As a mother myself, I developed an ability to sensitively attune to moments when clients revisit painful childhood memories and experiences. Additionally, I hold a first-class degree in Visual Communication, which has given me an appreciation for the creative process and its challenges, as well as an awareness of the various learning styles and ways of processing.
If you're considering embarking on a therapeutic journey with me, I look forward to the opportunity to work together and supporting your growth and self-discovery.
Common issues I work with
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Sex/Intimacy
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Friendships / Relationships
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Trauma
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Loneliness
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Life Transitions
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Low self-esteem
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Body Image
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Stress
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Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Postnatal
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Attachment Patterns
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Career Direction

FAQs

  • Sessions last for 50 minutes and take place in a quiet room with just two of us present.

  • Each person has different needs, and it is important that you decide how long it feels right for you to stay in therapy.

    I will regularly discuss with you, how you are finding the work, what progress you feel you have made and how you want to move forward. This can include exploring new areas you might want to address.

  • There is no obligation to commit to therapy after our initial appointment session. We will both agree for therapy to continue, and you might want to commit to a short number of sessions or want an open-ended approach.

    We will either meet weekly or fortnightly, and if you need to take a break, holiday, or cancel a session, you can give 48 hours' notice.

  • The United Kingdom Psychotherapy and Counselling (UKCP) are professional bodies that are responsible for the verification and accreditation process of trained professionals in the UK.

    Having this certification reflects that the therapist has received the optimal academic and vocational training required to work with you and that they adhere to the professional ethics and standards set by these reputed organisations.

  • You can contact me by clicking on the ‘get in touch’ button on this website. I always respond back quickly. As soon as I receive this information, I will invite you for a first appointment.

    I will aim to offer you an initial session within 1-2 weeks. I will then send you a client intake form to complete, this will be done online, confidentially. This is for you to provide your personal details and reasons for seeking therapy.

  • This session is as much about you getting a sense of who I am, as it is about me getting a sense of you. The therapeutic relationship is key to the success of therapy so it’s important you feel you can work with me.

    I will ask you about your current difficulties and what has brought you to this point and establish your overall goals/aims for therapy.

    Our initial session will also give you an opportunity to ask me any questions you might have, and for me to tell you about my approach and the practicalities of therapy.

Fees & Locations

£75-90
Fees can either be paid via bank transfer before the session or by cash in the session.
Session Length
All sessions, including our initial session last for 50 minutes.
Online Therapy
I also offer therapy online via video conferencing on Writeupps confidential, encrypted platform.
In-Person Therapy
I offer face to face, in-person therapy at the following location:
Psychotherapy Studio 1
172 Church St
Stoke Newington
N16 0JL
Get Directions
(Google Maps)

Get In Touch

You can get in touch with me to discuss what you are looking for from therapy and, if you like, arrange an initial session online or in person. Please also get in touch if you have any questions which I haven't covered in my FAQs section. The easiest way to contact me is via the contact form on this page, however you can also email me directly or give me a call using the contact details below.
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Send me a message
You can use my contact form to easily send me a message
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Send me an email
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Give me a call
+44 1305 238963
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Ela Therapy logo in pale pink colour.

Ela Smith is a London based Humanistic psychotherapist providing both in person and online therapy.

Psychotherapist London

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