Jayden Smith

About Me

Sometimes we get caught in patterns we don’t fully understand, struggle in our relationships, or carry past experiences that still shape how we feel and live. We may know something isn’t right, yet struggle to put it into words or know how to change it.

As a Registered Psychotherapist in Christchurch, I work alongside people to explore these experiences with curiosity, compassion and respect. I’m interested in what lies beneath the surface, how we relate to ourselves and others, and how deeper self-understanding can open new possibilities for change.

How I Can Help

People come to psychotherapy for many different reasons. You may feel overwhelmed, struggle with difficult emotions, or be going through a period of change. Sometimes there isn’t one clear problem, just a feeling of being stuck or disconnected from yourself.

Psychotherapy offers space to explore what you’re experiencing, understand yourself more deeply, and discover different ways to relate to yourself and others.

I work with people experiencing:

• Anxiety, stress and emotional difficulties
• Depression and low mood
• Trauma and the lasting effects of past experiences
• Grief, loss and significant life changes
• Relationship difficulties and recurring patterns
• Self-esteem, identity and a sense of belonging
• Emotional disconnection and difficulties understanding yourself

My Approach to Therapy

My approach is relational, collaborative and integrative. I believe our relationships and life experiences shape how we feel about ourselves, connect with others and respond to the challenges we face.

My work draws on Transactional Analysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy, integrating Jungian psychology, Gestalt and somatic approaches. Together, these perspectives help us understand why certain feelings, reactions, or relationship patterns keep returning, and how past experiences can continue to affect us in the present.

Depending on your needs, our work may involve conversation, noticing how emotions show up in the body, imagery, or creative expression. Sometimes it can be difficult to find words for what we are feeling, and these different approaches can offer other ways to explore and understand your experiences.

My background in CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release also informs my body-based approach, with gentle hands-on work available in person where appropriate and with your agreement.

I believe meaningful therapy begins with feeling heard, understood and accepted. Rather than following a fixed formula, I work alongside you at a pace that respects your needs and what feels manageable. My aim is to support you in understanding yourself more deeply, recognising new possibilities and developing greater choice in how you respond to life’s challenges.

My Practice

I offer individual psychotherapy from my home-based practice in Woolston, Christchurch, as well as online therapy via Zoom. I work with adults and adolescents aged 14–17, with parental consent and involvement for adolescents.

Getting In Touch

Taking the first step towards therapy can feel daunting, particularly when you’re unsure where to begin. You don’t need to have everything figured out before coming to psychotherapy.

If you’re looking for a psychotherapist in Christchurch or online, you’re welcome to get in touch to explore whether working together feels right for you.