Elizabeth Smith

I only offer private sessions on Thursdays online. I do not currently have any availability for new clients. 

Are you neurodivergent and struggling to navigate a neurotypical world? 

I am multiply neurodivergent myself and was diagnosed as an adult. I understand the unique challenges this can bring from a lived experience perspective and I specialise in supporting adults who are going through late identification/diagnosis of ADHD and/or autism.

How can counselling and psychotherapy help?

I offer a warm, compassionate and empathic space to help you develop self-understanding, compassion and acceptance in the face of difficult life experiences and to promote personal growth and development in your way and according to your values.

My approach

My approach is neuro-affirming, which means that neurodivergence is seen as a difference, not a deficit. Therapy is collaborative and person-centred; we work together towards your identified goals and priorities. My experience and training means I can offer an approach that is tailored to your personal needs, strengths and goals. 

I specialise in supporting those who have received an adult diagnosis of autism or ADHD (or both) or are exploring the possibility for the first time. I also own and run Free2BMe Therapy Services Ltd, which is a specialist counselling and coaching service run by and for neurodivergent people. 

I offer in-person sessions in Sheffield city centre. I also offer online sessions and I can offer walk-and-talk sessions in Kirklees/Barnsley/North Sheffield areas.

My training and experience

I have a MA in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling. I am trained in trauma-focused CBT for PTSD and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which offers practical ways to help with anxiety, low mood, stress, addictive behaviour patterns, life changes and transitions, and self esteem. I have also undergone specific training in working with neurodivergence, including autism/Asperger's, ADHD, dyspraxia and dyslexia. 

I am also happy to work with neurodivergent counselling trainees needing counselling as part of their course requirements.

Where do I practice?

Online via Zoom

When do I work?

Thursday daytimes

What is the cost?

I offer 60-min sessions either face to face or online at £65.

What will I need for online sessions?

You will need a phone or tablet with the Zoom app installed, or a laptop or desktop computer with an internet browser and up to date antivirus protection. You will also need a stable internet connection and a private space for the duration of your session. I also recommend headphones for your comfort and privacy.

I offer a free initial 15-20 min call (either phone or video) to discuss your needs. Please enquire via the contact form or via email to arrange, and I am happy to arrange a call at a pre-agreed time. I do not provide a phone number here, as I am rarely available to answer calls through the day and due to my own neurodivergence I communicate much better when calls are pre-arranged. I do answer all directory enquiries I receive via email. Even I am unable to help, you will receive a reply.

Our first session would be an assessment session. Prior to the session I will email you my working agreement and we will discuss the following in session:

1) Confidentiality and privacy 

2) Payment, attendance and cancellation policy

3) Your reasons for seeking therapy

4) What you would like to gain from attending therapy

5) How I may be able to help with your needs and goals

I am currently working online only. I offer online sessions on Thursdays up to 6pm. 

I am currently fully booked and do not have any capacity for new regular supervisees, however I can offer one off or ad-hoc consultations. 

I offer a free initial 30-min consultation to discuss your practice and my way of working and see if we would be a good fit to work together. 

I also offer supervision groups and reflective practice groups for organisations. Rates on request depending on group size and need.

Rates: £55/hr (qualified counsellors) £45/hr (trainees)

My supervision style is based on the seven-eyed supervision process model (Peter Hawkins and Robin Shohet). I work within a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive and neurodiversity affirmative framework. 

I trained in Integrative Supervision with The Grove Practice and hold a Level 7 Diploma in Supervision. 

I aim to be approachable, consistent, supportive and gently challenging, to support both you and your clients to grow, develop and realise your potential in your life and work. As a supervisor this works on two levels - with the supervisee in our relationship, and how this carries through in their practice with clients. I have a deep respect for the ethical responsibility and care that goes into this process.

I offer individual and group supervision. I specialise in providing external supervision and reflective practice to teams of mental health professionals in organisations, particularly where there is a need to explore the growing awareness and need for neurodiversity informed and aware practice. 

I am neurodivergent myself and I specialise in working with neurodivergent clients and practitioners, particularly autism, ADHD and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia. My lived experience can also bring an additional dimension in supporting those working with this client group and I welcome neurodivergent practitioners as supervisees. I also have considerable experience working in crisis, SARC and trauma services and am strongly committed to working sensitively with intersectionality, difference and diversity. 

My core therapy training was the MA in Integrative counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Leeds. I am trained in humanistic, psychodynamic and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches, as well as some training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work.

Please contact me if you wish to explore a potential supervisory relationship or consultancy session.

I work with the seven –eyed supervision process model. The client is central to the process, and within that we can focus on different aspects and look at the work from different perspectives - the therapeutic work with clients, the chosen responses and interventions, the supervisee's own process within the client work, and the supervisory relationship itself and how we both experience it.

I aim to support supervisees not just in practice, but also in developing their own philosophy and way of being as a therapist, in a congruent and authentic relationship of genuine care and investment. This also supports supervisees' career and professional development and direction. I find this has been particularly important in my supervision as a neurodivergent practitioner, because neuro-differences can bring a unique dimension to our therapeutic relationships and our way of practicing. 

I offer either ongoing supervision or one-off/ad hoc consultations for therapists requiring support and consultation around my specialist area of neurodiversity and working with neurodivergent clients, particularly autistic and ADHD clients and those with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc. 

In the initial free consultation, we will explore your practice and your needs and how I might work with you, to establish whether we both think we will be a good fit to work together. If we decide to work together on an ongoing basis, we will usually contract for 3-6 sessions initially and then review. 

I mainly offer training and consultancy services on Thursdays, Fridays and weekends. 

I founded Free2BMe in January 2022. We are a therapy, coaching and training/consultancy company specialising in working with neurodivergence in mental healthcare. 

As a trainer, I deliver and co-deliver training on neurodiversity related topics, informed by my lived experience as a neurodivergent practitioner and my extensive experience working in mental health services and private practice. My training is informed by trauma informed, neurodiversity affirmative and anti-oppressive practice frameworks. 

Training I offer includes:

• General introductory training on neurodiversity
• Working with adult ADHD in counselling and psychotherapy
• Neurodiversity in the workplace (for managers/HR)
• Understanding ADHD assessment and diagnosis and supporting clients to access services
• Group psychoeducation and coaching support for neurodivergent adults in work and education settings
• Career mentoring and support for neurodivergent counsellors and therapists setting up in private practice/self employment

I work on the basis of a neurodiversity affirmative standpoint, grounded in the social model of disability. This means that neurodiversity and neurodivergence are accepted as difference, not pathology, and we do not seek to "correct" neurodivergent traits when working with neurodivergent clients. Training aims to increase understanding, explore creative and strengths-based ways of working, and find ways to facilitate neurodivergent people reaching their goals and meeting their needs in a variety of settings, and live full and authentic lives. 

I have delivered training in a variety of settings, including NHS, university and counsellor education settings, and voluntary sector, both face to face and online as well as providing regular online trainings for individual practitioners to join.

I can offer bespoke trainings for organisations and charities - please contact me for details and to arrange a free consultation regarding your training needs. 

If you are an individual practitioner wanting training or mentoring, please contact me to discuss future open access trainings we are offering and to join our mailing lists, or to arrange a free consultation regarding individual support or mentoring. 

Rates for organisations vary based on group size, delivery mode and organisational needs. Individual mentoring is offered at £65/hr, concessions available for students, low income.