About Me

Denise Smith at Talking Helps, Surrey based counsellor working with people age 15+

I am a qualified Counsellor and a registered member of the British Association Counsellors & Psychotherapists (BACP) registration number 01011340

I can help with;

Anxiety
Depression
Intrusive Thoughts
Relationships
Change & Life Transitions
Self-Harm
Grief
Trauma
Suicidal Ideations
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's); emotional and physical abuse or neglect, parental separation or loss, living or growing up in a home with substance or alcohol disorder use, living with and witnessing domestic abuse.

Young Adults - 15-25

I am especially passionate about working with young people aged 15–25.

During my placement year at Bracknell College, I gained over 150 hours of experience working inclusively with students, many whom identified neurodivergent, and LGBTQ+, supporting a range of common mental health concerns.

This stage of life is a time of significant transition, self-discovery, and often, uncertainty. It can feel overwhelming, navigating the shift from adolescence into adulthood, trying to understand who you are, and where you fit in.

It's easy to feel lost among the constant messages from social media and the wider world, each one telling you who you should be, how you should look, and how you should live.

I offer a space where you can pause, reflect, and be yourself — free from judgment or expectation. Together, we can explore who you truly are, beyond the noise. We'll look at your values, not those shaped by family or society, but the ones that feel authentic to you.

Whether you're struggling with anxiety, low mood, identity, relationships, or simply feeling lost, I can support you in developing the tools and self-awareness to navigate life with more confidence and clarity.

Pampas grass blowing in the wind to represent freedom to change within a counselling relationship

Let’s talk

parenting young adults

Parenting and caring for young adults can bring new and sometimes unexpected challenges. Balancing paternal emotions as roles change and independence grows, it’s common for parents to feel uncertain about how best to offer support while allowing space for autonomy (the freedom to choose), and agency (the ability to act on those choices).

Many experience a mix of pride, worry, and frustration as they navigate concerns around mental health, communication, the pressures young people face in modern society and the influence and expectation of social media.

Counselling can provide parents and carers, with a confidential space to explore these feelings, reflect on their role, and develop supportive ways of relating that strengthen connection and understanding during this time of change.