Tenea Smith

Background & Training

With over 10 years in the mental health field, I've worked with adults facing some of life's hardest chapters — serious illness, the losses that come with aging, and the quiet erosion of self that caregiving can cause. I hold a specialization in chronic illness and older adult mental health, areas where the gap between medical care and emotional support is often widest.

My training is rooted in evidence-based practice: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused strategies, and Motivational Interviewing. I draw on whichever combination actually fits the person in front of me.

My Approach

Therapy with me is active, collaborative, and empowering. I don’t simply sit back and nod, I guide, challenge, and encourage you while listening deeply to your story. I aim to help you build self-awareness and develop the tools you need to achieve your goals. My clients often tell me they feel encouraged and understood in our sessions. I am passionate about helping individuals recover from difficult experiences, gain confidence in their strengths, and create positive momentum toward the future.

Common Reasons Clients Reach Out

• I've been managing a chronic illness for years and I'm emotionally exhausted

• I'm caring for an aging parent and I feel guilty, resentful, and completely alone in it

• Since my diagnosis, I don't recognize myself anymore

• I want to talk to someone who actually understands what living with chronic pain does to a person

Specialties & Modalities

Modalities:
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Solution-Focused Methods
Trauma-Focused CBT