It's Complicated
Available

Mark Smith

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Psychotherapist

Available
Native English speaking, UK trained, Berlin based CBT Therapist, ACT practitioner and Cognitive Behavioural Coach. Accredited by the European Association Cognitive Behaviour Therapists (EACBT).
  • €85 / session
Based inBerlin
Last active
3 years at It's Complicated
Available online

About me

My first degree from 2000 is in Art and Aesthetics. Following Graduation at the age of 20 I spent a decade of finding myself and losing myself, prioritising festivals, parties, travelling, mischief and hedonism whilst working in mental health support roles. When the time came to get my act together, I knew I wanted to continue working in mental health. Art Therapy was my original intention, however I then learnt about Occupational Therapy (which has a misleading title, I believe Functional therapy to be a more appropriate title).

Occupational therapy is holistically focused on enabling people to engage in essential and meaningful activity when physical and mental challenges create obstacles. It utilises meaningful activity (including creative activities) as treatment. The problem solving nature of this role greatly appealed to me. I completed my Msc in OT in 2012.

After 6 years as an OT working in rehab within secure psychiatric settings (including the prison service), I was accepted into a Post Graduate training programme for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy within the NHS. I spent a year as a trainee CBT therapist, under supervision, working in a busy well-being clinic in North London.

Following completion of this, I commenced a role as department manager in a large, 5 ward Psychiatric hospital, managing and supervising 9 people, being responsible for the development and implementation of the therapy programme and recovery college. I have always advocated in following ones gut instinct and living life according to values. Brexit was a crunch moment for me to live one of my core values of adventure, so in the midst of the pandemic I decided to take a big risk and move to Berlin to see if I could make it work here as a private practitioner. Im pleased to say my folly worked out very well.

Sexuality is a subject that has been a constant throughout my career. To meet the needs of my clients, I am currently in training to be a mens sacred sexuality coach.

My approach

My ultimate therapeutic aim is for you to not need therapy. For you to be able to take a step back from your psychological distress, unhelpful thinking patterns and dysfunctional problem solving so you can be your own therapist. For you to have an effective, compassionate and accepting relationship with yourself and for you to live a meaningful, authentic and satisfying life that is steered by your values.

To achieve this I use established, evidence-based CBT methods along with emerging CBT approaches that have their roots in Eastern Philosophy such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, visualisation, and Mindfulness-based CBT. I work with presentations including depression, low self esteem, anxiety disorders (general, social, health, OCD).

My approach is not limited to the realms of psychology. I also draw from OT theory that states that one’s wellbeing is influenced by the quality of our interactions with our environments. Throughout my extensive clinical career I have worked in multi-disciplinary teams with nurses, dieticians, personal trainers, physiotherapists and social workers. I can use the knowledge I have absorbed regarding physical health to provide guidance and insights around healthy living.

My therapeutic approach is motivated by more than facilitating distress reduction. I am acutely aware that life is short, and we want to make the most of our time. I draw on my work experience in rehab, as a team leader, supervisor and mentor along with my CBT knowledge to provide life coaching along with therapy. As well as being able to work effectively with depression, low self-esteem, anxiety disorders, I will be able to support you with building confidence, career progression, social inclusion, overcoming procrastination and indecision, sexual fulfilment, manifestation and spiritual development.

Where I practice

Qualifications and experience

Education
MSc Occupational Therapy PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy BA Hons Art and Aesthetics Acceptance and Commitment Therapy level 3 Assessment of Motor and Process Skills Certification Accreditations and Membership European Association of Behaviour and Cognitive Therapies (EACBT) (current) Association of Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS) (current) British Association of Behaviour and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) (2018-2022) Health Care Professions Council UK (HCPC) (2010 - 2022)
Experience
Work Experience 2020-Current: Independent Therapist, Berlin 2018-2020: Occupational Therapy Department Manager, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Head of Therapies and Recovery College Lead, Priory Health Care, West Sussex. 2017-2018: Cognitive Behaviour Therapist Trainee, North West London NHS trust 2016-2017: Occupational Therapist, Pentonville Prison, London. 2014-2016: Senior Occupational Therapist: Mens Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust 2012-2014: Occupational therapist: Mens Psychiatric Rehabilitation 2000-2010: Various care and support worker roles with learning disabilities, neurological disorders and mental health. Additional: 2012–2020: Clinical Practice Educator and Mentor for Occupational Therapy students. 2014-2018: UNISON Representative in the NHS.
Languages
English
Insurances
Private Pay
  • €85 / session
Based inBerlin
Last active
3 years at It's Complicated
Available online
Usually responds within three days
Usually responds within three days