Liz Smith

“I feel like I’m existing, not living.”

"I don’t know who I am anymore. I just want my old self back.”

“My life has changed and I don’t feel in control anymore."

"How do I get past this? I just don’t know where to go from here.”

If this sounds like you, I can help. My name is Liz and I specialise in helping people find themselves again. Please get in touch for a free introductory call.

Life throws all sorts of curve balls, and most of the time you cope, or at least survive. But after a lifetime of 'muddling through' maybe you've hit a wall (some people call it a breakdown). Or something has happened that is momentous and overwhelming. And suddenly it's like you've lost touch with who you really are.

Some common triggers include:

• Relationships ending or changing, including through bereavement.
• Changes at home and work, e.g. children starting school or leaving home, job loss or retirement, or workplace stress.
• Hormonal changes such as those that happen during menstruation, perimenopause, menopause, and gender-affirming and other medical treatments.
• Fertility issues such as loss of fertility through medical treatment, miscarriage, or fertility treatments not working.
• Trauma, whether a one-off (e.g. a car accident) or the ongoing effects of an abusive childhood, bullying at work, intimate-partner violence, etc.
• Health issues, like being diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness.
• Coping with being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world.

When we're not truly connected with who we are (our values, needs, dreams, feelings), life can feel particularly challenging. You may be experiencing anxiety or depression, emotional or physical pain, lack of confidence. You might wonder if you're going crazy or feel as if your brain just isn't working as well as it used to. Sleep might be eluding you, and as for eating well and exercising? Ha!

Don't worry. These are normal feelings and thoughts, and you are not doomed to live like this forever.

Who Am I?

I'm a fully qualified counsellor and coach who can help you tap into your own inner wisdom and strength (even if you're not sure you have any!) to find the right way forward for you.

Together we can explore not just what's happened in your past (if you want to) but what you really, really want for your future and how you can get there.

If you're ready to make positive changes in your life, call or email me for a friendly, confidential chat. We'll talk a bit about you and what you'd like to get out of counselling and, if you want to, we'll arrange our first session.

What do I do?

I offer both short- and long-term counselling and coaching by video or in a tranquil, relaxing setting 3 miles southeast of Bicester, and within easy reach of Oxford, Kidlington, and Aylesbury. 

I aim to create a positive, healing space that allows you to access your intrinsic potential to make changes that will help you lead a more fulfilling life. You can freely express yourself without being judged, safely process negative feelings and experiences, and think about new ways of living your life and relating to others. You remain the expert on you, but I can offer information, insights and suggestions to help you achieve your unique goals.

Who do I work with?

I aim to offer a fully inclusive practice. I am a cis woman, and I work with both women and men (cis or trans) and non-binary people. My counselling room is accessible and I am able to offer closed-captioning via Zoom. Please don't hesitate to talk with me about your specific access needs or other ways I can make you feel safe and welcome.

Working with me

Whether we work in a virtual counselling room or a real one, you'll find a warm, friendly welcome and a commitment to helping you tap into your inborn capacity for change and healing.

I’m an accredited member of the National Counselling Society, and I work within their ethical framework. I undertake regular supervision and additional training to continually improve my work with clients.

ADHD and Autism

I have a good understanding of and personal experience with ADHD and autism, including working with individuals who have been diagnosed in adulthood. A lifetime of 'masking' in order to fit into a neurotypical world can be exhausting and frustrating, and is not something you have to do when you work with me. Whether you're seeking counselling because of your neurodivergence or not, your authentic self is welcome here.

Sexual Abuse and Assault

I have worked extensively with survivors of sexual assault and abuse and intimate-partner abuse (including coercive controlling abuse) at both the Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre and the Aylesbury Vale & Milton Keynes Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service. Dealing with the aftermath of these experiences (flashbacks, dissociation, nightmares, hypervigilance, difficulties trusting other, etc.) can feel overwhelming and, unfortunately, not everyone is able to access free counselling services in a timely way (or even at all).

I've seen firsthand what a big step it is to ask for help as the survivor of sexual violence. I aim to create a safe, compassionate and non-judgmental space where you can carefully process your experiences at your own pace.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss

I have undertaken specialist, accredited training in working with clients who have experienced the loss of a baby before, during, or shortly after birth. Whether one or both parents choose to seek counselling, you are assured of a gentle welcome the space to work through this unique grief at your own pace.

I specialise in working with women (trans) women are welcome) who feel they need to 'find themselves', e.g. leaving a relationship, experiencing menopause or hormonal upheaval, empty-nesters, etc.

I am also a specialist counsellor in sexual abuse and assault, and in pregnancy and infant loss.

£55 online

£65 in person

Concessionary rate: £35 per session (please check for availability)

All sessions are 60 minutes

I am located in a pleasant village 3 miles southeast of Bicester, within easy reach of Oxford, Kidlington, and Aylesbury. There is on-site parking and the counselling room is accessible for wheelchair users.

A cat and a dog (aka the furapists) live here and like to help me greet clients. If you have allergies or any concerns, you may want to do online counselling instead.