Heather Darwall-Smith, UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist

Heather Darwall-Smith

London OX15
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Heather Darwall-Smith, UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist

Heather Darwall-Smith

London OX15
Shortlist Share

My Approach

I have a deep interest in the rich, often complex relationship between sleep and the human experience. Whether it’s difficulty falling asleep, waking in the night, disrupted rhythms, or nightmares, sleep is where many of life’s challenges reveal themselves.

To me, sleep is not only a biological process—it’s also emotional, relational, and deeply human. Our capacity to rest is tied to how safe, connected, and supported we feel. When sleep becomes difficult, it often points to areas of our life or inner world that need care and understanding.

My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and curious. While I draw on mindfulness, psychotherapy, and CBT-I, the focus is on connection—helping you uncover the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that shape your nights and your days.

I’ve written two books: How to Be Awake: So You Can Sleep Through the Night, which explores the profound links between our emotional and biological selves, and The Science of Sleep, a collection of over 100 evidence-based answers to the questions I’m most often asked.

Sleep, for me, is more than rest—it’s a doorway into your story: your fears, hopes, and need for belonging. If rest feels out of reach, I’d be honoured to work alongside you, helping you find your way back to easeful nights and brighter days.
Sleep is not just about rest; it’s a mirror of how we feel in our relationships—with others, with the world, and with ourselves. Our circadian rhythms, the cycles that guide our sleep and wakefulness, are deeply tied to how safe and connected we feel. When those rhythms are out of sync, it’s often a sign that something deeper needs attention.

My approach is collaborative and curious. While I draw on mindfulness, psychotherapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), I focus on connection—helping you uncover the patterns and experiences that influence your sleep and your place in the world.

I’ve written two books, How to Be Awake: So You Can Sleep Through the Night which explores the profound links between our emotional and biological selves and The Science of Sleep, which is a complication of over 100 evidence based answers to questions I get asked everyday.

Sleep, to me, is more than a biological necessity; it’s a way into your story – your fears, your hopes, and your need for connection.

If yours feels like a struggle, I’d be honoured to work with you to uncover what lies beneath, helping you move toward nights of peace and days of possibility.

About Me

My work is grounded in both experience and compassion. Before retraining as a psychotherapist, I spent over twenty years working in design and advertising as a designer and art director. That creative background continues to shape how I listen, think, and help people make sense of their experiences.

I hold an MA in Mindfulness-Based Core Process Psychotherapy from The Karuna Institute and have studied sleep medicine at the University of Oxford. My approach weaves together evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, alongside trauma-informed practice, breathwork, yoga nidra, and person-centred therapy. These tools allow me to meet you exactly where you are, creating space for exploration and change at your own pace.

For three years, I worked in a specialist sleep clinic, supporting people with insomnia, circadian rhythm disruption, nightmares, and sleep difficulties linked to ADHD, trauma, and chronic pain. Now, in private practice, I see clients both online and in person—those referred by neurologists and psychiatrists, as well as people who come to me directly. Whether you’re in the UK or overseas, we can work together in a way that fits naturally into your life.

I work with

  • Individuals

Special Interests

Like all UKCP registered psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors I can work with a wide range of issues, but here are some areas in which I have a special interest or additional experience.

If you live with ADHD, you’ll know that sleep doesn’t always follow the rules. It’s not simply about staying up too late—ADHD can bring unique, biologically rooted challenges to rest. A delayed body clock, difficulty switching off a busy mind, or sensitivity to noise and light can make it hard to find calm. Together, we’ll explore how ADHD affects your rhythms and energy. We’ll find practical, compassionate ways to work with your natural patterns, helping you build a relationship with sleep that feels more balanced and less pressured.
Health issues affect not just your nights but your sense of safety and connection in the world. Chronic pain can heighten your alertness, making it difficult to wind down, while health anxiety can amplify intrusive thoughts that keep you awake. Both acute and chronic conditions can strain your relationships with others, making it harder to feel supported or understood. When your body feels unreliable or in discomfort, rest can feel like a battle, leaving you tired, isolated, and stuck in a cycle of worry and exhaustion. Chronic pain, illness, or health anxiety can all make rest difficult. When your body feels unreliable, safety and comfort can feel out of reach. I work with people to explore the connection between body, mind, and rest—addressing both the physical and emotional aspects that keep you awake.
If you’re navigating sleep or withdrawal difficulties linked to prescribed medication—such as those for anxiety, pain, or sleep itself—you may feel caught in a confusing cycle. Together, we’ll explore how your medication interacts with your natural sleep rhythms and find ways to support stability and confidence as your body adjusts.
Chronic stress and burnout can make rest feel impossible. You might find yourself exhausted but unable to switch off, or wake in the early hours with a racing mind. Stress affects the body’s rhythms, keeping the nervous system on high alert. We’ll look at how your unique stress patterns shape your sleep, using gentle, evidence-based ways to restore balance and ease.
When you’ve experienced trauma, nights can be just as affected as days. Sleep may be light, fragmented, or filled with distressing dreams. This isn’t just psychological—trauma alters the body’s systems that regulate safety and rest. Together, we’ll work to rebuild a sense of calm and safety at night, exploring both the biological and emotional roots of disrupted sleep.

Types of Therapies Offered

  • Core Process Psychotherapist

What I can help with

  • Abuse
  • ADHD
  • Age-related Issues
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Chronic Illness
  • Depression
  • Health-related Issues
  • Mental Health Issues
  • Online Counselling
  • Post-Traumatic Stress
  • Prescribed Drug Dependence
  • Trauma

Types of sessions

  • Face to Face - Long Term
  • Face to Face - Short Term
  • Online Therapy

London Office

Oxford
online
London OX15 0SL
United Kingdom

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UKCP College

  • Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy College (HIPC)
Heather Darwall-Smith

Heather Darwall-Smith

London OX15

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