My name is Chad Smith and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida and earned a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. Since entering the field in 2015, I have worked with adolescents and adults providing individual, couples, and group therapy services for mental health and/or substance use disorders.
My training has primarily utilized the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy(CBT) model but I believe strongly in a client-centered approach in order to help meet clients where they are in the treatment/recovery process. I have worked with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship/family issues, and substance use disorders amongst others. I see the client-counselor relationship as collaborative with the goal of empowering clients to use learned coping strategies to effectively manage their symptoms.
In our first session, I will encourage you to share as much(or as little) as you feel comfortable with as you try to help me understand what led you to seek treatment. While your personalized goals for therapy will be discussed, my primary goal in our sessions will be to create and maintain a warm, safe, and judgment-free environment that allows you to feel comfortable speaking openly and freely.
