Deborah flew to Sydney to run her Mindfulness workshop at the ANZ Weight Watchers Head Office. It was so valuable in so many ways and the feedback received was incredibly positive from all attendees. The benefits were both personal and professional and I highly recommend her workshop to others. A big dose of gratitude to Deborah for sharing her knowledge in such a professional and experiential way.
Martha Lourey-Bird, Director, Weight Watchers Australasia
Deborah’s Grow Your Own Happiness workshop led to us explore how positive psychology could support our members in losing weight , becoming happier and healthier. Deborah worked closely with us throughout 2015 as we developed a curriculum to train our Leaders to incorporate a set of happiness skills into their discussions with members.
Her expertise was invaluable in guiding us and some of our international colleagues towards the best way to bring these skills (such as mindfulness, gratitude, positivity, resilience, strengths) to life in a relevant and down to earth way, to enhance our members’ experience with Weight Watchers.
Julia Westgarth, Programme Development Manager, Weight Watchers UK Ltd
I’ve known Deborah for several years now both as my therapist and as my meditation teacher. I was referred to Deborah by my Doctor. I have seen a number of therapists over the years for an ongoing issue and am fully aware of what works for me and what doesn’t. I personally need sincerity, honesty, clarify, trust, empathy and understanding and to know and feel that all of these things are genuine. With Deborah all of these things are assured.
She is very genuine, approachable, understanding and wise. What ever is on my mind I can discuss with complete knowledge that it will be given her full attention and will be handled with a gentle and caring approach. Nothing I say I ever feel is inappropriate or awkward because there is always an understanding that for some reason it needs to be said.
Deborah is a calm and reliable presence. She draws not only on her psychological training but her interest in Buddhism, holistic healing, hypnotherapy and other specialisms. It is really up to you. If you wish to bring those things into your sessions they are available, it is your choice. For me this is crucial, I don’t feel my issues are purely psychological but spiritual and emotional and together we are able to change focus to deal with any issue on any one of these levels depending on what feels most appropriate. For me this is one of the reasons Deborah stands out for me as someone I am happy to see and to entrust with my personal life. I would recommend her to anyone I cared about.
James, Bath
I have been helped by Deborah for over seven years now – starting at the lowest ebb and, as someone who values their privacy, with some trepidation. That I could trust and open up with Deborah was immediately apparent and a huge relief. Her careful probing and considered insights are supportive, accurate, but always offered in a way that has helped me find, rather than be told, the next steps. Deborah displays a huge amount of knowledge, skill and expertise in what she does, but it has never felt formulaic and is always expressed in ways that I relate to.
I trust Deborah completely and recommend her without reservation. Over the years, there have been lifetime highs as well as low points and I have valued Deborah’s wise counsel in the good times, just as much as the bad. I have been encouraged and challenged – unerringly, the right approach at the right time. And no matter the frequency or the circumstances,
I always leave a session with Deborah feeling lighter, clearer and more resolute about the future. In many ways, I’m unrecognisable from the person that first picked Deborah’s name from the phonebook. That transition, the growth and confidence to be myself, is testament to Deborah’s life-changing work.
Mark, Bath
Deborah Smith gave an excellent talk at the London Buddhist Vihara. Her talk was on mindfulness, based on the psychological aspects of the practice of meditation. She presents her speeches in a way that is unique to her, with a sense of humour at regular intervals, which is done tactfully so that she can hold the total attention of the audience and pass on her message with intuition.
Her understanding of the subject and her practical experience of applying it to the day to day society is most inspiring. Deborah speaks with wisdom and compassion.
Venerable K. Ariyarathana, London Buddhist Vihara
I have worked with Deborah over the last 6 years, returning to work with her where I am faced with life change or obstacles that challenge me. She is gentle in her approach and without judgement, which makes it easy to really open up. I have also found her pragmatic which supports effective and impactful action following our consultations.
Deborah has supported me through a number of life transitions and personal transformations, I would recommend her to anyone needing a committed listener and therapist.
Emily, Bath
I have seen Deborah as a psychotherapist on and off for several years. Having tried other therapists/counsellors I can honestly say she is the best I have encountered. She has a range of different approaches which means she can use whatever technique is most appropriate to the issue of the moment. I have found this very effective. Whilst she can ask penetrating, even challenging, questions from time to time, at no time have I felt unsafe or vulnerable with her when sharing some of my innermost secrets or fears.
She always exudes a calm, caring and healing vibe but at the same time is highly observant and insightful. Her recollection of conversations from previous sessions, even years distant, is scarily good!
You get out of it what you put in. Deborah helps you get the most out of it. I never came away from a session with her… not feeling better about things, or without feeling more optimistic or without a clearer understanding. You should always try a few therapists before settling on one that works for you personally.
Try Deborah first.
K.D, Wiltshire
I went to Deborah some time ago when I was not in the best place in my life. Deborah helped me to see beyond the self-blame culture I had gotten myself into. Since those fairly dark days I have been able to take myself out of the situation I was in and think more clearly about my life, how I handle myself and project myself to others.
With the tips on meditating I have been much better at living my life and have since gotten married, which is a true achievement. This is in some ways due to the conversations and help that Deborah has offered me. Thank you Deborah!
Jon, Bath
Deborah is a dedicated unique professional in the work she does. She always seeks to be a master in the skill she offers, and she walks the talk. She does so with care and respect for those around her. You will be lucky to benefit from her service which she delivers with her wisdom and outstanding abilities especially her tonality and depth of understanding others. All of these qualities reflect the nature of her professionalism.
Muneer Abdulla MSc., Al-Muneer HRD, Bahrain
Deborah’s lecture on mindfulness to the BSc Psychology students was very well attended. Deborah presents well with a good mix of seriousness and humour. The students enjoyed an interesting lecture with experiential components. There was a high level of enthusiasm and engagement, it was nice to see the students asking so many questions. Later student assignment submissions heavily praised Deborah’s knowledge and her ability to lead such a session.
Adam Gibson Msc., Roehampton University
Deborah has helped me out on two occasions over the last few years in a way that other treatments have not come close to doing. We speak of our session less as therapy but more about learning. I apply what I have learnt in our lessons everyday both in my own life but also to do my work with others in a more corporate environment. It has taken a while for me to find someone I could trust as I do Deborah.
She shows the perfect balance of empathy, respect and firm challenge. I believe it is this balance together with her very credible technical competence in a variety areas of psychology that makes her so very effective.
Trudi, Malborough