About Me

My mission is to help you heal and work towards confidence and independence for your ongoing journey.

For that to happen, I put my neurodiverse brain to work with a wide range of
expertise, qualifications and interests, to meet you where you are at.

I’m here to hold space for you because I believe in the power of the therapeutic
relationship. I also give you the tools that allow your mind and body to heal on your
journey to recovery.

My approach

I don’t fit you in a box. I will bring the box to you

Empathy is key to everything I do and I am grateful every day for the people I had the honour to help for they have taught me the most.

My therapeutic approach is integrative and it includes…
✔ Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
✔ Family Support
✔ Motivational Interviewing (MI)
✔ Clinical Sexology
✔ Interpersonal Therapy
✔ EMDR
✔ ADHD Coaching

My clinical background allows for an open minded and safe journey. I work with a
holistic model, acknowledging biological, psychological and social needs. In
addition, my neurodiverse skill comes with a deep emotional sensitivity and a
heightened attention to detail to help me deliver a more empathic and
compassionate therapy.

Therefore, I can plan bespoke therapy to the individual needs of the client I am
working with to celebrate the uniqueness of each individual by building on their
own strengths.

My own cultural background brings me closer to art, music, spirituality and heritage
and I often add these into my therapeutic process.

My career journey

Throughout my career I never wanted to fit in a neatly labelled box. So I will never
try to do that to you.

My own journey started as a Mental Health Nurse after qualifying with the
University of Southampton in 2006 and specialising in addictions and eating
disorders.

In 2007 I returned to the University of Bath to study Addictions Therapy as I had
grown to love my work as a detoxification nurse and wanted to better understand
the needs of my clients to help them heal and grow.

My experience of addictions covers both substance abuse addictions, but also
behavioural addictions including gambling, pornography, sex and love addictions.
In my last position working within a private hospital, I had the opportunity to lead
the addictions therapy team in a Priory Group hospital.

I also have a background in eating disorders and it has led me to set up several
services during my career, including:
● A community focused Eating Disorders Service with the Hampshire
Partnership NHS Trust
● A Blood Borne Virus Screening service for the Substance Misuse Service
team at the New Forest, Inclusion Recovery New Forest Hub in Hampshire
● Most recently a Trauma and Addiction Pathway within Hayes Grove Priory,
as part of the addiction service line management team across the Priory
Group to develop comprehensive relapse prevention.

My most recent qualifications and interest include a postgraduate certification in
clinical sexology in 2021 which helps me bring an extra layer of understanding
addiction in your life.

I am also a trained and qualified EMDR practitioner which has gained me a
practical understanding of trauma and how memory small or large impacts your
daily life.

While I love my work as a therapist, I maintain my nursing registration as well as
my clinical skills. I routinely offer my services to medical organisations, on a
contractual basis. If you are a medical professional and would like to collaborate,
please get in touch at enquiries@bethanyashleysmith.co.uk

Most recently I have trained in the assessment and treatment of Adult ADHD- this is a subject close to my heart as an individual with ADHD and a neurodiverse family. My own living experience of ADHD allows me to match my professional skills to clients’ needs and understand why some interventions work in different ways for the neurodiverse population.