FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions about neurodiversity coaching with Dr Alexa Smith
Dr Alexa Smith is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) specialising in neurodiversity coaching for adults with ADHD, autism, AuDHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, based in the UK and working online internationally. If you can't find your answer here, please get in touch.
Understanding neurodiversity coaching
WHAT COACHING IS
What it is, what it isn't, and how it works in practice.
What is neurodiversity coaching?
Neurodiversity coaching is a collaborative, person-centred process that helps neurodivergent individuals — including those with ADHD, autism, AuDHD, dyslexia, or dyspraxia — understand how their brain works, identify what gets in the way, and build practical strategies that actually fit them. It's not therapy, and it's not about fixing anything. It's about working with your brain, not against it.
HOW IS COACHING DIFFERENT FROM THERAPY OR COUNSELLING?
Coaching is future-focused and action-oriented. While therapy often explores past experiences and emotional healing, coaching focuses on where you want to go and what's getting in the way right now. I'm not a therapist, and coaching isn't a substitute for mental health treatment — but for many neurodivergent people, coaching fills a gap that therapy doesn't: the practical, strategic support for day-to-day life and work. Many clients find coaching and therapy work well alongside each other.
WHAT DOES A COACHING SESSION WITH DR ALEXA SMITH ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?
Sessions are one-to-one, usually 60 minutes, and held online via video call. We start by exploring what's on your mind — what's working, what isn't, and what you want to move towards. From there, we dig into the patterns, strategies, and structures that might help. You won't get a one-size-fits-all programme — every session is shaped around you. Most clients describe it as a space that feels both challenging and genuinely supportive.
Working with Dr Alexa Smith
What to expect before and when you first get in touch
GETTING STARTED
Do I need a formal diagnosis to work with Dr Alexa Smith?
No — and this is something I feel strongly about. Many of the people I work with are mid-assessment, on a waiting list, or simply recognising patterns in how they think and work without having a formal label yet. I work with people at all stages: those with a diagnosis of ADHD, autism, AuDHD, dyslexia, or dyspraxia, and those who are just beginning to make sense of how their brain works. What matters is not the diagnosis — it's understanding yourself well enough to build a life and a way of working that actually fits.
What happens in a discovery call with Dr Alexa Smith
A discovery call is a free, informal 45-minute conversation — no commitment, no pressure, no form-filling. It's a chance for you to tell me what's going on, ask anything you want to know about how I work, and get a feel for whether working together seems like the right fit. I'll listen carefully and be honest with you about whether I think coaching can help. If it feels right for both of us, we'll talk about next steps. If it doesn't, I'll say so — and I may be able to suggest other options that might suit you better.
Who does Dr Alexa Smith work with?
I work with adults who identify as neurodivergent — whether you have a formal diagnosis of ADHD, autism, dyslexia, AuDHD, or dyspraxia, or you're still figuring it out. Many of my clients are professionals, executives, or leaders who are high-functioning in many ways but quietly struggling with the hidden effort of masking, managing expectations, or navigating workplaces that feel like they weren't built for them.
Does Dr Alexa Smith work with clients outside the UK
Yes. I'm based in the UK but work with all my clients online via video call, which means I work with neurodivergent adults across the UK and internationally — including clients in Europe, North America, and beyond. Many of my clients find online sessions easier to manage than in-person ones, and the flexibility around location and scheduling makes a real difference. All sessions are in English.
CREDENTIALS AND APPROACH
Dr Alexa Smith's qualifications and coaching style
What she brings to her coaching practice and how she works.
What are Dr Alexa Smith's qualifications?
I hold a PhD in Developmental Neurobiology and am a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) — one of the highest coaching credentials internationally. I've trained as a transformational coach with a person-centred approach, drawing on systemic thinking, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and reflective practice. I have coached nearly 1,000 hours, the majority with neurodivergent adults. I also hold a BSc Hons in Anatomy and Cell Biology from the University of Sheffield and completed a Postdoctoral Wellcome Research Fellowship at King's College London.
Does Dr Alexa Smith have lived experience of neurodiversity?
Yes. As a neurodivergent person myself, I understand from the inside what it's like to navigate environments that weren't designed for the way your brain works. That lived experience shapes how I listen, how I ask questions, and how I help you make sense of yours. It also means there's no explaining yourself from scratch — I get it.
What is Dr Alexa Smith's coaching style?
Warm, direct, and grounded in deep listening. I don't believe in generic frameworks or one-size-fits-all programmes. I create a reflective space where you can think differently and take meaningful action — but I'll also challenge you when it serves you. Clients often tell me they leave sessions with both new insight and practical tools they can use straight away.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
Fees, sessions, and what to expect
The practical things people want to know before getting in touch.
What kind of results can I expect from neurodiversity coaching?
Clients commonly report greater self-understanding, more effective daily strategies, improved confidence at work, and a stronger sense of what they actually want — rather than what they feel they should be doing. Some clients come in overwhelmed and leave with clarity. Others come in knowing what they want but not how to get there — and leave with a real plan. Progress depends on you, but I'll be there at every step.
Is coaching with Dr Alexa Smith confidential?
Yes. Everything we discuss is confidential, in line with ICF ethical guidelines and UK GDPR. I hold regular supervision to support the quality and integrity of my work — but supervision is anonymised and does not involve sharing identifying information about clients.
Can I fund coaching through Access to Work?
Yes. I am an Access to Work provider, which means UK-based clients may be able to use their Access to Work grant to fund coaching sessions. If you're unsure whether you're eligible or how to apply, please get in touch and I can talk you through it.
How do I get started with Dr Alexa Smith?
The first step is a free 45-minute discovery call — no commitment required. We'll talk about what you're looking for, whether coaching feels like the right fit, and what working together might look like. You can book directly via the contact page.
Still have a question?
You're very welcome to get in touch directly. No pressure — just a friendly conversation to explore what you need.
Free - 45 minutes - No obligation
Dr Alexa Smith PCC · alexasmith.co.uk · Based in the UK, working online in the UK and internationally