Hi
PLEASE NOTE, I AM NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING COUNSELLING CLIENTS.
I am registered with The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (MNCPS) as a counsellor, The British Psychological Society (CPsychol) as a chartered psychologist and Pink Therapy as an accredited Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversities Therapist (AGSRDT).
Andi has 15 years’ experience as a health and social care/mental health practitioner on the wards, within the community and through his own private practice Smart’s Solution: Counselling, Education, Training, Development.
Andi has specialised in supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer+ community for 10 years. This has led to him developing an established amount of experience working with a wide range of gender expressions (transgender, nonbinary, omnigenderand) as well as sexual and relationship diversities (BDSM, kink, polyamory). Andi is sex worker friendly and can support with chemsex concerns.
In addition Andi is registered as an Affiliate Professional Member of Patoss (The Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties) and, thus, is qualified to support neurodiverse individuals who have been diagnosed with specific learning difficulties, autism, and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Finally, alongside his support roles, Andi works with several colleges and awarding bodies an exam board subject specialist, content writer, examiner, internal quality assurer, distance learner assessor.
About Me
A North Midlander at heart, I moved to Bristol in 2018 in search for ‘city life’ – I was certainly not let down. Bristol is a fantastic city: creative, friendly, diverse, cultural, open-minded – what more could I ask for!
Back to nature
I enjoy visiting art galleries and attending art workshops, cooking, being with nature, animals, keeping fit and – let’s not forget – socialising with friends! I really appreciate autumn as a season and all the transitions going on within nature.
New to the area
Walking, for me, brings me closer to nature in these challenging times and – being newish to the city – I am still fascinated with the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Qualifications
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Online Training (accredited by The Foundation for Infant Loss) – in progress
Certificate in Affirmative Therapy: Working Successfully with LGBT+ Clients
Foundation Degree in Counselling
PG Dip in Health and Wellbeing
Higher National Certificate in Nursing Studies
PG Cert in Post16 Education
MA Community Psychology
PG Cert in Psychology and Disability
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Fine Art and Psychology
Recent CPD:
Mental Health First Aid – Pass
Safeguarding – Pass
Equality and Diversity – Pass
Data Protection (GDPR) – Pass
Dignity at Work – Pass
Communicating with Care – Pass
Health and Safety – Pass
Suicide Prevention – Pass
Counselling Online (BACP) – Pass
Published Articles
2023
Smart, A. (2023). Supporting dementia patients with creative person centred care approaches. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2023). Psychoeducation: key terms/language used in the LGBTQ* community. The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society, UK – see https://nationalcounsellingsociety.org/blog/posts/psychoeducation-blog-around-key-term-language-used-in-the-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer-lgbtq-community
Smart, A. (2023). How can counsellors create LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) affirmative counselling spaces? The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society, UK.
Smart, A. (2023). Wellbeing series: how to support staff and students alike. Bath College, UK.
2022
Smart, A. (2022). Animal therapy on dementia wards. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2022). Understanding animal care to support those in your care. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2022). New Year, New Me” mindset - how to set realistic resolutions. NCFE, UK
Smart, A. (2022). The importance of wellbeing programmes in the workplace. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP SHOWCASE: University Centre, Somerset.
Smart, A. (2022). Developing staff wellbeing programmes. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP SHOWCASE: University Centre, Somerset.
2021
Smart, A. (2021). Positive Communication In Dementia Care. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2021). The importance of wellbeing programmes in the workplace. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2021). Developing a Staff Wellbeing Programme. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2021). How can we build resilience through self-care? NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2021). Warning signs someone you know is being bullied. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2021). Enabling a diverse workforce: Supporting older workers' career development in health. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2021). 5 steps to protect those in your care from bullying. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2021). Bullying of LGBTQ+ children and young people. NCFE, UK.
2020
Smart, A. (2020). Debt: The Challenges. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2020). Ecotherapy. NCFE, UK.
2019
Smart, A. (2019). Coping with the winter blues. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2019). Working in drug and alcohol recovery – an overview. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2019). What is Makaton? NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2019). Practical steps to include older adults in their care: A practitioners' guide. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2019). Dementia: Supporting patients to live well. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2019). Person centred care: a practitioners guide. NCFE, UK.
2018
Smart, A. (2018). Where are all of the male carers? NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2018). My Dyslexic Journey. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2018). Supervision. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2018). Hydration. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2018). Navigating Loss. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2018). HIV (human immunodeficiency virus): treatment, discrimination and best practice. NCFE, UK.
2017
Smart, A. (2017). The realities of the ward vs the classroom. NCFE, UK.
Smart, A. (2017). Tips for teachers: talking about mental health. NCFE, UK.