Sydney Smith, LPC

I approach counseling with respect for how we all crave meaningful connections and communities of belonging. I believe this is one of the reasons why counseling is so powerful. Ultimately, counseling is a specialized and unique relationship in which to practice new skills, process deep wounds, and build self-understanding. Everyone is wired with physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs. These needs function together as a whole, so hurt in one area may bring hurt in another. But the good news is that healing works this way too! Healing in one area can bring healing in another. Knowing this, we’ll explore your experiences with perspective and hope for all the opportunities that bring healing. If you’re new to counseling, I welcome all your possible questions or hesitations. Because I’ve been in the client seat myself, I prioritize transparency about the process with you. I’m happy to share not only what I suggest might be helpful for our work together, but also how and why. If you’ve had counseling before, I welcome your thoughts about what previously worked for you and what didn’t. No one size fits all, so let’s make your therapy your own! I have a special interest working with anxiety in the many ways it manifests. Perhaps it’s our human nature to worry and I don’t think we need to pathologize these normal experiences. Yet sometimes anxiety and pain so overwhelm us that we get stuck. I believe we can grow past our stuck points as we gain resources, coping strengths, and deeper understanding of ourselves. I also work with clients recovering from traumatic experiences and relational wounds. Trauma causes pain that runs wide and deep, leaving many survivors feeling isolated and ashamed. If you work with me, I hope to be a witness to your pain and help explore your story in ways that move us forward. I work with clients to explore perfectionism, shame, inner conflicts, and parts of self that feel stuck in the past. I understand that spiritual/religious influences can have unique impacts on mental health, whether a source of pain or comfort (and often a confusing mix of both!) My personal faith grounds me to “mourn with those who mourn” and gives me hope for my clients’ flourishing, though I welcome clients of all beliefs and will never impose my own. We’ll prioritize evidence-based approaches and your preferences. Outside of the office, I love going to the movies and thrifting books with my husband. I’m growing a home library faster than I can read. My ultimate self-care retreat is a visit to my childhood farm, where I learned to love peaceful solitude. I enjoy a backyard campfire with friends, a kayak trip, and a good farmers market.