Ilona Smith, BACP
16 years in practice
Ilona Smith is a counsellor with 16 years' experience working directly with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and grief.
License and registration
- BACP
- 391781 · expires June 2026
- Years in practice
- 16
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the registration with the body that granted it.
About Ilona
Ilona Smith is a counsellor with 16 years' experience working directly with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and grief. She focuses on helping clients who are struggling with intimacy-related issues and is experienced in practical problems like communication, commitment and feelings of emptiness. Her way of working is straightforward and respectful.
Ilona listens first, then tailors sessions to what each person needs. She aims to make conversations clear and useful rather than full of jargon.
Background and approach
In sessions she draws on several approaches, including existential ideas about meaning, client-centred listening that follows the person's lead, and practical techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy. Mindfulness and solution-focused tools are used when they fit the situation. Clients can expect a calm space to talk about things like attachment worries, abandonment fears, dissociation, guilt, shame, and family problems.
Ilona also supports people dealing with domestic violence impacts, midlife reassessment and questions about life purpose. She holds BACP accreditation, which indicates professional recognition in the United Kingdom. Ilona offers sessions in English and works with international clients where that is appropriate.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Ilona lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Depression
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dissociation
- Domestic violence
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches Ilona names
- Existential Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
How Ilona’s approaches work online
Existential Therapy looks at questions of meaning, freedom and responsibility. It helps when people feel stuck, empty or unsure about life direction by encouraging honest reflection and choices.Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and understanding. The therapist follows the person's lead, offering empathy and acceptance while helping them find their own answers.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) targets unhelpful thoughts and patterns. It uses simple exercises to change the thoughts and behaviours that keep problems like anxiety and low mood going.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Ilona will talk with each person about their goals and try different ways of working until something fits. This is collaborative - decisions about methods are made together based on what helps most.
Online sessions use video calls, phone, live chat or text messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video is useful for a full conversation, phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited, short check-ins work well by text, and live chat suits people who prefer typing. These options help fit therapy around work, travel or family commitments while keeping the focus on practical change.
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Questions people ask
What concerns does this counsellor help with?
Ilona supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and intimacy-related issues. She also addresses attachment problems, communication and feelings of emptiness.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is respectful and straightforward. She listens first, then adapts sessions to each person's needs using plain language and practical steps.
How much experience does she have?
She has 16 years of experience practising as a therapist. That time has included work with a wide range of emotional and relationship difficulties.
What credentials and location are on record?
She holds BACP accreditation and is based in the United Kingdom.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and Ilona accepts international clients where suitable.
Which session formats are available?
Sessions can be held by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist arrangements; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
What do I do to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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