FACES
Nikki Smit: A Neurodivergent Occupational Therapist Translating Overwhelm Into Understanding
Nikki Smit is a neurodivergent occupational therapist, speaker, and educator whose work centers on one urgent modern reality: many people are not “too sensitive,” “too emotional,” or “not coping” — they are overwhelmed without a clear map of what is happening inside their bodies and minds.
With more than 15 years of experience supporting children, adults, families, and professionals, Nikki has become a trusted voice for people navigating burnout, emotional flooding, shutdown, chronic stress, and the quiet exhaustion that comes from pushing through life without adequate support.
Wellbeing, Reframed: Capacity Over Control
At the heart of Nikki’s approach is a grounded, compassionate principle: wellbeing is not about staying calm or eliminating emotion. It is about building the capacity to stay present as internal experiences rise and fall. Rather than teaching people to suppress their feelings, Nikki helps them develop understanding, safety, and practical strategies so they can meet moments of distress with more steadiness and choice.
Her work speaks directly to those who have learned to survive by:
- shutting down to get through the day
- pushing through at personal expense
- masking, over-functioning, or disconnecting
- blaming themselves for nervous system responses they don’t understand
Nikki’s message is clear: these patterns are not moral failures. They are adaptive responses — and they can change when the right conditions are in place.
A Whole-System Lens: Beyond Thoughts and Behavior
As an occupational therapist, Nikki brings a holistic framework that looks beyond surface-level behavior or mindset alone. She considers how nervous systems are shaped by:
- sensory input and overload
- relationships and attachment patterns
- environments and expectations
- lived experience, pace, and pressure
- safety, trust, and support systems
This lens allows Nikki to connect the dots in a way that feels both scientifically accurate and deeply human. She is known for translating complex nervous system science into language that is grounded, accessible, and immediately relevant to everyday life.
Distress as Meaning, Not Defect
Nikki’s work is rooted in respect for difference, dignity, and choice. She approaches distress with care and curiosity, treating it as meaningful information rather than something to “fix.” Her emphasis on safety, relationship, and pacing reflects a belief that healing does not come from being managed — it comes from being understood and supported in ways that fit the person.
This values-based approach resonates strongly with neurodivergent adults, parents, and people working in high-pressure environments who are tired of being told to simply “cope better.”
A Sought-After Speaker and Educator
Beyond clinical work, Nikki is a sought-after speaker and educator. She teaches and speaks on topics including:
- stress and emotional capacity
- nervous system health and regulation
- sensory overload and shutdown
- what real support looks like for humans, not “problems”
Her content resonates across audiences — from neurodivergent communities to leaders, creatives, educators, and professionals who want healthier, more sustainable ways to function in demanding environments.
A Compassionate Voice in Modern Mental Health
Through her speaking, writing, and online presence, Nikki offers a steady voice in the wellbeing space — one that invites people to relate to themselves with more curiosity and less self-blame. She reframes sensitivity, emotion, and struggle as part of being human, not as weaknesses to be hidden.
In a world that often rewards performance over presence, Nikki Smit is helping people reclaim something deeper: the ability to understand themselves, feel supported, and move through life with more clarity, dignity, and choice.
