Professional psychotherapy and counselling
Simon Arthur-Smith, counselling in Brighton & Hove, and remotely across the UK
Counselling
qualifications
I hold a Post-Graduate Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling, formally Accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, from the University of Brighton (this qualification has since evolved into the Post-Graduate Diploma (PGCert) in Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling offered by the same university).
I am a qualified EMDR practitioner, having completed the EMDR Europe Association-accredited EMDR training.
I also hold a Certificate in Duo-Counselling (an Integrative model of counselling couples & families, where the counsellor works either as an individual therapist, or works together with a colleague as a 'duo').
Additionally, I have also undergone formal training in drug and alcohol dependency counselling from a recognised organisation specialising in work in this field.
Membership of Professional Bodies
I am an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Member of EMDR UK & Ireland, the UK's professional Association of EMDR clinicians.
Additional Qualifications
I have a Master's degree in Business Administration (City University Business School, London) and
a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree from the University of Oxford.
Frequently asked questions
All you need to know about my counselling practice
Call Simon Arthur-Smith Counselling
How do I arrange an initial consultation?
Either e-mail me or call me on my mobile so that we can arrange a mutually-convenient time for your free initial consultation at my Hove counselling practice. Please note that my mobile will be switched off during times I am seeing clients, but if you leave a message, with your contact number, I will call you back at the earliest opportunity.
How do I know if counselling or psychotherapy will be beneficial for me?
The initial consultation is at a reduced fee (currently £25). This is to enable you to establish whether you feel that I have the qualities and approach necessary to help you start overcoming the difficulties you are currently facing in your life without major outlay. In order for psychotherapy to be effective for you it is vital that you feel at ease and safe with your therapist.
How many counselling or psychotherapy sessions will I require?
This is a very individual thing and is dependent on what you consider your needs to be. Some people find that just a few sessions are all they need, although it is rare for fewer than six sessions to achieve significant and lasting therapeutic change. Some people value the ongoing support of psychotherapy over an extended period of time. I will work with you to establish what time-frame best suits you; I will not pressurise you and the decision is entirely yours. Once counselling/psychotherapy starts, we will regularly review your therapy as we progress. It is helpful for both of us to decide at what juncture the therapy will come to an end so that you can be assured of a satisfactory emotional 'closure'.
How often are the counselling or psychotherapy sessions held?
Sessions are typically held weekly on a set day and during a set time-slot that has been agreed by both parties to be suitable and convenient. Your time-slot on your chosen day becomes your 'personal space' for counselling for the duration of the therapeutic relationship. Changes can be agreed if your personal circumstances change.
How long does a counselling or psychotherapy session last?
Sessions typically last for one hour - this is 15% longer than the sessions many counsellors offer (typically others' sessions are 50-minutes in duration) - meaning that five sessions with me is equivalent to six sessions with many other counsellors, making the sessions I offer more cost effective for you. EMDR sessions may need to be longer than 60-minutes, depending on therapeutic need.
Please note that I am willing to consider sessions of longer duration than one-hour, if that is your wish and there is a clear therapeutic rationale for the longer appointments.
What does a counselling or psychotherapy session cost?
The initial consultation costs just £25. Typical duration of an initial consultation is 60-75 minutes.
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Once an agreement has been made for on-going counselling following the initial consultation, the charges for counselling/psychotherapy sessions are as follows:
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One-hour 'remote' appointments (via Skype or telephone) cost £55. Remote sessions held on Saturdays are charged at £60 per one-hour session.
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One-hour 'in-person' appointments in Hove cost £65. 'In-person' EMDR sessions may, for therapeutic reasons, need to be longer than one-hour, and a 90-minute EMDR session costs £90.
​Please remember that the standard sessions I offer are one-hour sessions (instead of the 50-minute sessions that most therapists offer), meaning that the sessions I offer are more cost effective for you.
Please note: EMDR often requires sessions of 90-minutes duration.
Do you work with couples and families?
At the present time I do not work with couples or families.
Simon Arthur-Smith: providing professional psychotherapy and counselling locally in Brighton and Hove and remotely throughout the UK.
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If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me, I am more than happy to answer any of your worries or concerns.