Meet Dr Eloise Smith
Qualified Clinical Psychologist - HCPC Registered
About Me
I am a registered clinical psychologist with extensive experience supporting individuals across their lifespan. My expertise includes conducting neurodevelopmental assessments (Autism and ADHD), cognitive assessments, and providing psychological evaluations and evidence-based treatments for a wide range of mental health conditions. I work with children, adolescents, and adults, tailoring my approach to accommodate neurodiverse needs.
I have worked in various settings, including NHS community services (Community and Specialist CAMHS, Learning Disability Services, Older Adults Mental Health Services), schools, inpatient forensic units, and private neurodevelopmental assessment services.
In addition to my private practice, I serve as a Senior Clinical Psychologist within the NHS, specialising in working with children, young people, and their families.
I offer a free telephone consultation to help you decide whether I fit you or your child.
Qualifications
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First Class Honours BSc in Psychology, University College London (UCL)
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Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Surrey
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Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
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Certified in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), a gold-standard tool for Autism assessment
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Comprehensive CBT Training as part of my ongoing continued professional development (CPD)
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Currently completing training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) to become an accredited EMDR therapist
Services
Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Assessments
I have extensive experience in formal neurodevelopmental assessments. This has included within the NHS National and Specialist Autism assessment service for children at Great Ormond Street Hospital and within private practice. I offer assessments for children, teenagers and adults. I am passionate about helping others learn more about themselves, and hope to provide a neuro-affirming diagnostic experience.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals perceive, interact with, and communicate with the world around them. It is characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviours or restricted interests. The term "spectrum" reflects the wide range of abilities and challenges individuals with ASD may experience.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s ability to focus, regulate impulses, and manage energy levels. Common symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can vary in intensity and presentation. ADHD can impact everyday functioning, including academic, occupational, and social areas of life.
Why choose Open Mind Psychology
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I only conduct assessments that follow NICE guidelines. This ensures the report and outcome is informed by best practice and we are working within an ethical framework.
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Every Autism assessment will have a minimum of two registered practitioners involved.
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All our assessments use standardised measures, and incorporate 'gold standard' assessment tools, such as the ADOS-2.
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I work alongside highly experienced and qualified practitioners. I work in an inclusive and neurodiversity affirming way. The Open Mind Psychology ethos is that diversity should be celebrated.
Please Note
For child assessments you must be able to provide evidence of two referrers e.g., yourself and another professional working with your child or evidence you are already on an NHS waitlist.
Neurodevelopmental assessments aim to provide a thorough evaluation of neurodiverse traits. However, a formal diagnosis cannot be guaranteed and will depend on the assessment results and clinical judgment.
Therapy Services
No one model works for everyone, so I work as an integrative psychologist, valuing person-centred therapy. Central to my approach is creating a compassionate and trusting space where clients can feel safe to explore, heal, and grow. I also place importance on considering your personal balance around the pillars of emotional and physical health, including sleep, nutrition, exercise, and connection to others.
During our initial assessment session, we will collaboratively develop goals for our work together. I draw on a range of evidence-based approaches, including:
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
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Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
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Mindfulness
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Systemic Psychotherapy, including Narrative Therapy
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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Re-Processing (EMDR)
I have experience working with individuals across the lifespan who are experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including:
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Anxiety/worry (e.g., OCD, GAD, Panic, Social Anxiety, Phobias, Separation Anxiety)
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Depression / Low mood / Sadness
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Trauma / Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Emotional Regulation and Behavioural difficulties
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Low self-esteem
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Friendship / Relationship difficulties
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School / Work-related concerns
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Impact of physical health problems (e.g., diabetes)
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Concerns related to neurodiverse conditions
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Anger management and other interpersonal emotional challenges
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Bereavement and loss
Although I am experienced in working with a wide range of mental health conditions, some difficulties require more intensive or crisis services. Should that be the case, I will facilitate your referral to an appropriate service.
Neuropsychological/ Cognitive Assessments for Children and Adolescents
(6+ - 17years)
What is a Cognitive Assessment?
The purpose of a cognitive assessment is to provide detailed insights into a child’s level of functioning and abilities. It identifies strengths, weaknesses, and areas that may require further support or adaptations to help a child reach their full potential.
A cognitive assessment formally evaluates a child’s intelligence (IQ) and abilities across various domains, such as verbal and non-verbal skills, memory, and processing speed. It involves engaging tasks like puzzles, answering questions, and memory-based activities, tailored to provide a comprehensive understanding of the child’s abilities.
Why are Cognitive Assessments Helpful?
Cognitive assessments are valuable tools for:
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Comparing a child’s performance to age-related expectations and the “average” range.
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Advising on educational placements and implementing reasonable adjustments to enhance learning experiences in school.
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Explaining why a child might be exhibiting certain behaviours, providing a clearer understanding of how to manage and support them effectively.
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Tracking developmental changes over time, particularly useful for children with medical conditions that may impact their development.
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These assessments offer actionable recommendations to support your child’s growth and learning journey, ensuring they have the best opportunities to thrive.
Clinical Supervision
I offer supportive and collaborative clinical psychology supervision tailored for clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals. My approach is grounded in evidence-based practice while also making space for reflection and learning, empowering you to deliver exceptional, ethical care.
I take an integrative approach, drawing on principles from:
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Third-wave CBT approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
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Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
What Supervision Includes
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Case discussions and formulation development
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Reflective practice to enhance clinical decision-making
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Guidance on ethical dilemmas and professional standards
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Support for managing complex presentations (e.g., ADHD, ASD, comorbidities)
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Skill development in clinical assessments, interventions, and report writing
Sessions are available online for flexibility and convenience. Contact me to discuss your specific supervision needs and how I can support your professional growth.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Clinical Psychology?
Clinical psychologists support individuals in making positive changes in their thoughts, behaviours, and relationships. Our goal is to understand the way people think, feel, and act, and collaborate with them to manage or overcome psychological challenges, ultimately enhancing their emotional well-being. Rather than trying to change people, we focus on helping them make changes in their own lives.
The assessments and therapeutic interventions we provide are grounded in both research and clinical experience. While we hold doctoral degrees, we are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medications. Clinical psychologists work with a wide range of individuals, from children to older adults, and often operate in various settings.
What is a Clinical Psychologist?
Title: A Clinical Psychologist is a professional who has completed doctoral-level training in psychology and is qualified to apply psychological knowledge in clinical practice. They are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which regulates the profession, and may also be a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS), the professional body for psychologists in the UK. "Clinical Psychologist" is a protected title, meaning only individuals with the appropriate qualifications are authorized to use it.
Experience: To become a Clinical Psychologist, one must complete an undergraduate degree in psychology (typically 3 years), a Clinical Doctorate (another 3 years), and at least two years of clinical practice. This means they undergo a minimum of 8 years of education and hands-on training.
Quality: The profession is tightly regulated to ensure safety and professionalism. To verify that a practitioner is properly registered, you can check their credentials with the HCPC using the following link: http://www.hpc-uk.org/check.
It’s important to note that while anyone can call themselves a "Psychologist" or "Child Psychologist," these titles are not legally protected, which can sometimes lead to confusion or misrepresentation. Always check the qualifications of those working with you, your family or child. A true professional will be understanding and would not be offended if you asked for evidence of these.
Why do people need therapy?
Some people come to therapy with a particular issue or experience they need support with to work through, such a clinically diagnosable mental health condition or after experiencing a major life event. Others might feel worried, down or just not like themselves and hope to explore why.
Therapy can also be preventative, with some recognising the value of therapy as an important aspect of their mental health maintenance, and a form of self-care. Whatever brings you (or your child) to Open Mind Psychology, I will be happy to help.
What to expect if I enquire about therapy?
Brief Telephone/Email Consultation – 15 mins - Free
Initial Telephone Consultation
I offer a free initial phone consultation where we can introduce ourselves and discuss the challenges you are facing. This conversation will help us determine whether my expertise aligns with your needs. Emotional and behavioural difficulties can be difficult to understand and manage, and you may be uncertain about the best course of action. I always recommend reaching out early for guidance and support. During this call, I aim to provide a relaxed, non-judgmental space to help you decide the best next steps for you or your child. If necessary, I can also direct you to other services that may be a better fit for your situation.
Assessment
If you decide that I am the right fit to support you, we will begin with an assessment session. This allows us to explore the challenges you or your child are facing in more depth. During the assessment, we’ll discuss relevant family history and life experiences to understand the root of the issue. We might also complete problem-specific questionnaires. I will also explain the different therapeutic approaches I can offer, and together, we will create a plan with clear goals for moving forward with treatment.
Following the initial assessment, a care plan will be discussed including outlining a plan and your goals for the therapy.
How frequently would we meet for therapy?
We may choose to meet weekly or fortnightly, and will agree a number of sessions before we review the progress and decide how to continue. In my experience the most effective intervention comes from collaboration and communication; if the approach does not feel helpful, we can discuss this at any time. You are under no obligation to commit to attending therapy if you decide not to continue.
Your Health Starts Here
Get in Touch
It can be anxiety-provoking to think about accessing a psychology service; emotional or behavioural difficulties can be challenging to understand and you might not be sure of the best way to manage things. If you would like to inquire about whether my services will meet the needs of you/your child or your family, please contact me via email and we can arrange a consultation or book an assessment.
Contact Info
Phone
Address
+44(0) 7787 982 387
Tillow Barn Health & Wellbeing, Roothill Lane, Brockham, Betchworth, RH3 7AS