Discover how Nikki Smit offers a more compassionate, body-based way of understanding stress, emotions, and mental health.
In today’s fast-paced world, stress, emotional burnout, and feeling overwhelmed have become near-constant companions. Whether it’s the never-ending juggle between work, personal responsibilities, or the weight of personal struggles, many of us are familiar with the sinking feeling of helplessness when everything seems to fall apart. It’s easy to feel as though we are just a step away from shutting down. But what if, instead of fighting against these emotions, we learned to listen to them?
This is the groundbreaking work of Nikki Smit, a neurodivergent occupational therapist, educator, and speaker who has spent over 15 years guiding individuals toward a better understanding of their emotions and stress responses. Through her compassionate, science-informed approach, Nikki helps her clients shift their relationship with their mental and emotional health. She’s leading the way in a new era of mental wellness that embraces vulnerability and fosters emotional depth.
A New Take on Mental Health: Not About Fixing, But Understanding
If you’re one of the millions who constantly find yourself caught in the cycle of stress and emotional overwhelm, it’s easy to feel like there’s no way out. Much of the advice on mental health revolves around the idea that we must “fix” ourselves—push through, be resilient, and suppress emotions to survive. But Nikki Smit’s philosophy flips that narrative on its head.
Rather than viewing overwhelm and emotional distress as something to be “fixed,” Nikki encourages understanding these responses as protective patterns shaped by past experience, sensory load, and nervous system capacity — responses that often need context and support to make sense of.
Nikki’s approach is grounded in neurodivergence, which informs not only her personal experience but also how she understands distress — shifting the focus away from ‘fixing’ individuals and toward adapting environments, expectations, and support. As someone who identifies as neurodivergent, Nikki’s perspective is uniquely attuned to the complexities of how we experience emotions and stress. This has given her a fresh lens through which to support others navigating similar challenges.
The Power of Compassion: Helping You Navigate Stress, Not Avoid It
Many people, especially in high-pressure environments, are taught that emotional overwhelm and stress are things to “fight” or “overcome.” The common wisdom encourages us to avoid feeling stressed, to stay calm at all costs. This approach, however, can often lead to burnout, anxiety, and even more stress. Nikki Smit advocates for a different, more compassionate way: a focus on building emotional resilience by engaging fully with our emotions, rather than suppressing them.
“Stress isn’t something to eliminate,” Nikki explains. “It’s something we learn to work with. When we stop battling our nervous system responses and instead support them, we create more space for regulation, clarity, and change.”
A Personal Journey: From Struggling to Thriving
Nikki’s own journey into the world of mental wellness began with her personal experiences as a neurodivergent individual. Growing up, she struggled to fit into a world that wasn’t always equipped to support those who think and feel differently. This gave her a deep empathy for those who feel marginalized or misunderstood due to their emotional experiences.
As an occupational therapist, Nikki has worked with countless individuals, from children in schools to high-powered leaders in high-stress industries, and each of them shared one thing in common: the desire to feel more in control of their emotions, without the constant pressure of “fixing” themselves. What she realized over time was that emotional responses are often understandable and protective, even when they feel overwhelming or out of proportion to the present moment.
It’s through this understanding that Nikki’s therapeutic approach has become so powerful. She listens closely to her clients’ needs, works to understand the unique ways their nervous systems respond to stress, and offers personalized tools to help them manage and transform those feelings. It’s not about eliminating distress – it’s about creating a balanced, healthier relationship with it.
Breaking the Taboo: Sensitivity Isn’t a Weakness
One of the most revolutionary aspects of Nikki Smit’s work is her advocacy for neurodivergent individuals and those often labeled as “too sensitive.” In a world that rewards emotional restraint and productivity, sensitivity is often seen as a liability. But Nikki challenges this notion every day. She helps people understand that sensitivity is not only natural but also a strength.
At the same time, Nikki is clear that sensitivity requires safety, support, and appropriate accommodations, not just positive reframing. Sensitivity is often an indication of a deeply attuned emotional and sensory system, which can be a source of immense personal power when understood correctly. Unfortunately, the world’s emphasis on productivity and resilience often leads sensitive individuals to believe that they are “broken” or “too much.” Nikki’s work reframes this perception, showing that sensitivity is something to be celebrated and nurtured, not suppressed.
“When we stop trying to toughen up and allow ourselves to be fully human, with all our emotional depth and sensitivity, we open the door to real change,” Nikki explains.
Sensory Awareness: A Key Factor in Emotional Overwhelm
Another cornerstone of Nikki’s approach is her focus on sensory awareness. She recognizes that emotional overwhelm doesn’t just stem from mental or emotional stress, but also from sensory inputs, environmental factors, and even past experiences. A child struggling with schoolwork may not just be overwhelmed by academic pressure; the sensory demands of the classroom – the lighting, noise levels, or the discomfort of the seating arrangement – could be contributing to the stress.
Nikki helps clients understand how different sensory inputs and environmental factors affect their emotional states. By learning how to identify and modify these triggers, individuals can create a more supportive, grounded environment that nurtures mental wellness. Over time, these small adjustments can meaningfully support regulation and participation, rather than instantly resolving overwhelm.
Nikki Smit’s Vision for the Future of Mental Wellness
Nikki’s influence extends far beyond her one-on-one therapy sessions. She is a sought-after speaker and educator, regularly sharing her insights on emotional resilience, mental health, and the importance of nervous system health. Through her speaking engagements, books, and online content, Nikki is changing the way we talk about mental wellness, moving the conversation away from the idea of “fixing” individuals and toward supporting people in a way that respects their unique experiences.
Her ultimate goal? To create a world where emotional health is treated with the same importance as physical health, where sensitivity is recognized as a source of strength, and where individuals are encouraged to engage with their emotions with curiosity and compassion rather than fear and judgment.
The Takeaway: A New Way to Look at Stress and Wellbeing
Nikki Smit’s approach to stress, emotions, and wellbeing is not about eliminating distress or pushing through it at all costs. It’s about building the capacity to engage with emotions in a healthy, compassionate way. It’s about understanding that sensitivity and emotional overwhelm are not weaknesses, but opportunities for growth and connection.
If you’re struggling with burnout or emotional overwhelm, Nikki’s work offers tools to approach life’s challenges with greater self-compassion. By tuning into your body’s signals and responding with care rather than judgment, you can transform your relationship with stress and begin to build a more balanced, fulfilling life.
Visit Nikki’s website today to explore her services, workshops, and resources, and start your journey toward emotional health and wellness. You can also connect with Nikki on Instagram and LinkedIn for ongoing support and insights.
