SS Portrait of Steve Smalec

Steve Smalec, BACP

Calm, practical counselling for anxiety and stress

20 years in practice · based in United Kingdom · sessions in English · online sessions

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About Steve

Steve Smalec is a counsellor with 20 years of experience helping people who feel overwhelmed by stress or anxiety. He supports people dealing with low mood, low self-esteem and the strain that comes from difficult relationships. He also helps people affected by trauma or abuse and those coping with social anxiety or phobia.

Steve aims to make sessions straightforward and easy to follow. He creates a calm space where clients can talk through thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment.

Book with Steve Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Background and approach

Conversations focus on practical steps and small changes that fit everyday life. In sessions he listens first and then works with each person to set clear goals. This might mean practising new ways to manage stress or trying different ways to handle uncomfortable social situations.

The pace is set by the client and progress is reviewed regularly. Steve draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques to guide the work. He explains options in plain language and helps people choose what feels most useful to them.

His style is collaborative and goal-focused with attention to emotional safety. People who want a down-to-earth counsellor will find him approachable. He accepts clients in English and works with international clients from the United Kingdom.

Steve uses a subscription model for sessions, which can be cancelled at any time.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Steve uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change and emotional understanding. One approach helps people learn ways to manage worry and physical tension by changing unhelpful thoughts and practising calmer responses; this is useful for general anxiety and panic. Another approach concentrates on processing difficult experiences and reducing their emotional hold, which can help people affected by trauma or past abuse.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will review what feels most useful and adapt methods to each person's goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process with regular check-ins to see what is helping and what needs to change.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs. Video calls are good for face-to-face conversation, phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited, live chat can be useful for shorter check-ins, and messaging lets people reflect between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and to keep continuity when travel or location change would otherwise interrupt progress.
Book with Steve Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What kinds of problems does Steve help with?
He supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and social anxiety or phobia.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
Sessions are straightforward and collaborative, focusing on listening first and then setting clear, practical goals to reduce distress and improve coping.
What is his professional background?
He has 20 years of professional experience working with people on anxiety, stress, trauma, mood and self-esteem issues.
What credentials and location are listed?
He holds BACP credentialing and is based in the United Kingdom.
Can people who live outside the UK work with him?
Yes, he accepts international clients and offers sessions in English.
Which session formats are available?
Sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
20 years
Licensed
Languages
English

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