Meet Mary
Light of Mind founder, Mary, lights up the rooms she enters with a burst of creative ideas, oceans of hope and intuitive wisdom.
She birthed Light of Mind because of her vision for a world where people respond to themselves and one another with loving compassionate understanding, connecting with the creative solutions that are available to us all. She believes that deeply seeing where the experience of life is coming from is the key to freedom, peace and clarity.
Get in touchMary has a:
- BA (Hons) Drama degree from Liverpool John Moores University
- MA in Drama and Movement Therapy from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis Psychology from The Institute of Psychosynthesis/ Middlesex University
She is a:
- HCPC registered Sesame Drama and Movement therapist
- Mantra Therapist and Supervisor – Kings College London and South London and Maudsley
- Clinical supervisor
- Heart of Thriving Three Principles life coach
- Psychospiritual psychotherapist
She worked for over 17 years in specialist NHS mental health services before taking her own leap of faith to fully fly with Light of Mind. She learned and witnessed so much, working as the CAMHS Lead Therapist in a prison and as a senior leader at The West Yorkshire Adult Eating Disorder Service, she remains forever grateful for these challenging, enriching and humbling experiences. She continues to offer therapy, training, consultation and supervision to a range of NHS patients and health and social care clinical staff. She has made several; radio, podcast and TV appearances speaking about different aspects of mental health, research and innovation.
Her work takes her across the globe offering bespoke Light of Mind services in business, education and theatres. She has a range of clients from all walks of life. She regularly presents at local, national and international conferences and universities. Her research interests include: Embodied creative ways of working, Innate Health and finding a bridge between; psychology, spirituality, biology and sociology. She is co-author of several academic papers and is currently fully engaged in a project that aims to offer creative ways of exploring identity to people with eating disorders. She lives In West Yorkshire with her husband, three children and cocker spaniel.
Credentials
Mary is registered with the following professional organisations. Click on the relevant logo to view professional registration.
Publications
Articles and publications Mary is featured in or has written.
The Efficacy of Health Realization/Innate Health Psycho-education For Individuals With Eating Disorders: Pilot Study (2022)
Eating disorders are associated with high rates of mortality, disability, and poor motivation for change. Psychological therapies are the first line treatment, yet outcomes are poor, and drop- out rates high.
The Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA): a feasibility case series of an integrated group based approach
Assessing the impact of First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders on duration of untreated eating disorder: A multi‐centre quasi‐experimental study
The First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders - Upscaled study: Clinical outcomes
"I’m truly free from my eating disorder": Emerging adults’ experiences of FREED, an early intervention service model and care pathway for eating disorders
Potterton et al 2021
Podcasts
This is a list of links to podcast episodes Mary has featured in.
Mantality
In this episode, Stevie and Mary discuss brain patterns, resilience, spirituality, trauma, how to navigate your internal world, society and more.
The Full of Beans Podcast - Masks, Sand Castles & Innate Health
In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Mary Franklin-Smith. Mary is the founder of Light of Mind, which explores mental health in a novel way, and provides guidance to find your own inner light and to wake up to your wonder.
Start Talking to the ‘Healthy Self’ – Innate health vs illness and a strategy for eating disorder recovery
Produced by the not for profit eating disorder organisation, Wednesday's Child, this podcast captures plenty of interviews, discussions, insights and inspirations. You'll hear from those who've battled the illness, those who support others, and from those with views about body image, food and exercise.
Always Okay (Even with Cancer and Covid-19) with Mary Franklin-Smith
In the past few months, Mary has been diagnosed with skin cancer and Coronavirus. Her young son also had the virus. Oh, and she had her very first panic attack recently. All of these things have shown her something amazing. They have helped her see that she is okay. Now. Always. No matter what is happening within or around her. I’ve watched things open up for her in amazing ways and I’m excited for you to hear her share what she’s been seeing in this episode.
What I Learned Sharing the New Paradigm with NHS
During her time as an NHS employee, Mary was keen to share the new paradigm in Mental health with her colleagues. She didn’t do this alone! Her co-worker, Sarah Parker and she, asked their friend and colleague Dr Amy Johnson from the Little school of Big change, to fly over from the states to facilitate a 2 day in house training event with them in Yorkshire – and she came! Hear Dr Amy reflections of this challenging and interesting event in this podcast episode.
Videos
This is a list of links to any video content Mary has featured in.
BBC Look North - feature on eating disorders
Mary Franklin-Smith, FREED lead for CONNECT eating disorder service, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, joins a feature on eating disorders on the Yorkshire BBC News
Victoria Derbyshire Show, BBC Television
Live broadcast with exclusive access to West Yorkshire and Harrogate adult eating disorder service.
Eating Disorder Information for GPs
Key tips for detecting eating disorders in primary care.
Fear not food - with Mary Franklin-Smith
A conversation with Mary Franklin Smith, psychological therapist with over 15 years experience in specialist NHS mental health services. She shares her views on all things recovery including identity, relationships, and the idea that eating disorders are about fear and not foods.
Tina McGuff - Her Inspiring Recovery Story (for CONNECT to Thrive: An NHS Eating Disorder Channel)
Tina McGuff, author of seconds to snap, shares her incredible and inspiring recovery story.
What does it feel like to have an Eating Disorder? (for CONNECT to Thrive: An NHS Eating Disorder Channel)
Connects bespoke animation
What Is An Eating Disorder? (for CONNECT to Thrive: An NHS Eating Disorder Channel)
What is an eating disorder and how to find the way out from its trap.
FREED promotion video
FREED is an early intervention service for young people aged between 16-25