Dr Louise Smyth
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Hello and welcome to my Counselling Directory page. My name is Lou, and I am The Neurodivergent Therapist. I offer sessions of counselling, coaching or consultancy for people who are interested in learning about and exploring their neurotype or 'neuroblend' (a term I have made up). Basically, I help people to "know thyself", accept their lives and create the best life possible.
I believe therapy can be creative, inspiring, life-enhancing, healing and fun. I also believe my honesty, integrity, intellect, and passion help my clients to accept their experiences, take responsibility for their actions, and create meaningful and successful lives.
I know this because I live it.
My background is in a variety of disciplines. My preferred approach would be largely intuitive, blending counselling, coaching and consultancy and is informed by psychoanalysis, psychosynthesis (spiritual psychoanalysis), trauma-informed practices, and compassion-led principles. This is the unique service that I offer; this way of working is successful, productive and helpful for many people, but will not suit everyone.
This also means that I only work with those who will be suited to my style and how I work, which is unconventional. I have developed this style through working with neurodivergent, mainly autistic/ AuDHD/ ADHD clients, and it seems to be more effective to blend the various approaches. I intend to help my clients be their true selves safely and confidently, as I believe this is how we live our best and most meaningful lives.
I have a PhD in Politics, which explored the relationship between Nature and Mental Health. I enjoy helping people to engage with natural settings for wellness purposes, and I am a proud advocate of ecotherapy, ecopsychology, and ecofeminism. I personally believe nature is our greatest healer and that our relationship with the natural and more-than-human world can bring so much joy, healing, creativity and fulfilment.
I am currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Law at Ulster University, as I understand how difficult and painful it can be for neurodivergent people to access and navigate the justice system. I am also happy to help people with legal advocacy, support and therapy, particularly where there is a history of domestic abuse and coercive control. I have worked in domestic abuse services since 2003 and understand that neurodivergent people, particularly women, are often failed in court and legal settings, environments and processes. I offer trauma-informed, survivor-focused and compassionate support for anyone who needs help with legal processes and decisions.
I also have experience working with couples who want to avoid adversarial and damaging relationship/ marriage endings. I offer couple's counselling/ separation counselling/ divorce therapy that can assist couples to move on when their relationship has ended, without making things more emotionally and financially draining by going to court. Finding a way to end a relationship in a peaceful and respectful way, by processing emotions and navigating difficult conversations with support, can save tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees and court costs. I believe it is best to avoid aggressive court/ legal proceedings when possible. I support couples to come to an ending that allows parties to move on as peacefully as possible when a relationship ends. I believe this is particularly important when there are children involved.
Long and painful legal proceedings are generally only beneficial to legal professionals who stand to make a lot of money from post-separation conflict. Processing difficult emotions and feelings in a safe space with professional support can help couples create an ending they can be proud of for years to come.
I am currently a blogger and writer for various platforms, reflecting on my experiences and sharing my views on neurodiversity, justice, health and wellbeing. I believe everyone has a lot to contribute to society, and we need to empower and encourage people to be more respectful and kind to those who are different.
I believe the future is bright; the future is neurodiverse!
Please feel free to get in touch if you would like information on the services I offer.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
Currently studying a Postgraduate Diploma in Law at Ulster University (2026-2028)
PhD from Queens University Belfast in Politics (Exploring the relationship between nature experiences and mental health).
Foundation Degree in Counselling from the University of Ulster- C.B.T., Psychoanalysis, and Person Centred Therapy.
Certificate in Life Coaching
City and Guilds 7407 Teacher Training Qualification
Master's Degree in Women's Studies and Feminist Research
Bachelor's Degree in Sociology 2i Honours
Training
Mastery Intensive Programme for Ireland and Northern Ireland 2025.
Therapeutic Shamanism.
EMDR.
Reclaiming Pleasure: Embodied Joy in Trauma Recovery and Social Change.
Creative Expression/ Emancipatory Thinking/ Artist's Way Facilitator for various organisations and community groups from 2015 to the present day.
Cruse Bereavement Training
Spirituality in Counselling Training with Sweet Tracks Counselling
Jill Edwards Stand Up Comedy Training- Brighton.
Academy of Creative Training Foundation and Diploma in Acting and Performance- Brighton.
Extensive Domestic Abuse Training (Worked as a Legal Advocate, Refuge Worker, Helpline Worker and Safety Officer)
Probation Service Officer Training (Was a Probation Tutor running programmes in Domestic Violence, Drink Driving and General Offending)
Extensive Youth Work Training (Worked for Prince's Trust as a Team Leader running their youth development programme. Received training in Addictions, Sexual Health, Self Harm and Mental Health).
Mental Health First Aid Training
Heading for Healthy Relationships and Positive Relationships Training (I have been delivering this training on behalf of Women's Aid since 2014 and have been privileged to work in many secondary schools and with hundreds of students. This programme is designed to help young people to recognise the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships).
Experience
I have been very fortunate to have enjoyed a full, exciting and varied career to date. In the last two decades, I have run a women's refuge, a skills centre for an international construction company, and worked for the Prince's Trust, the Probation Service and Women's Aid. I have been designing and running workshops for over 20 years. I enjoy being self-employed and growing my own business, particularly since I began rebranding in 2020 and focusing on working with people who identify as neurodivergent. My employment history and my ability to work with all sections of the community, all ages and all backgrounds is an indication of my ability to work well with many people from many backgrounds.
I love supporting people, I love empowering people and I love helping people to improve their lives. It is what I am good at.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I am also interested in supporting people with their spirituality and I am interested in using nature for therapeutic purposes. I enjoy supporting children and adults in developing their self expression and creativity. I believe that when we express ourselves and connect with our creativity we can begin to recover from trauma and are more connected to our true selves.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 - £100.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Fees vary depending on the needs of the client and the types of counselling/ coaching/ consultancy/ therapy being requested.
Concessions offered on request.
Further information
I enjoy writing and have been writing for years. I find writing therapeutic, empowering and enriching. I believe that when we share our voices, our experiences and our stories we can help others to do the same.
