Jada Smith

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes therapy can be both a safe space and a place for meaningful growth. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Virginia State University and my Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. Over the past three years, I’ve gained experience across a variety of mental health settings, including crisis services, outpatient care, substance use treatment, case management, group therapy, and inpatient and outpatient hospital settings.

I work with teens, adults, and couples, with a particular passion for supporting young adults as they navigate relationships, life transitions, and the challenges that come with figuring out who they are and what they want. My areas of focus include anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, infidelity and betrayal, and developing healthier boundaries.

As your therapist, you can expect me to be warm, down-to-earth, encouraging, and genuinely invested in your growth. I believe you deserve a space where you feel heard and understood—but I also believe therapy should challenge you. When needed, I’ll be direct, hold you accountable, and help you recognize patterns that may be keeping you from the life and relationships you want.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and honest. I don't believe therapy has to feel overly clinical or like you're talking to someone who is simply taking notes from across the room. I want our sessions to feel comfortable enough for you to show up as yourself, while still being intentional about the work we're doing together.

I primarily incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and choices. Together, we can identify unhealthy patterns, strengthen boundaries, improve relationships, develop healthier coping strategies, and work toward meaningful change.

I'm encouraging and supportive, but I'm also comfortable being direct when you need it. There may be moments when we laugh together and moments when I challenge you to look at something differently. My goal isn't to tell you how to live your life—it's to help you better understand yourself, recognize your strengths, and feel empowered to make decisions that align with the person you want to become.

Our first session is really about getting to know each other. I want to understand what brought you to therapy, what's currently happening in your life, and what you hope will be different as a result of our work together. Just as importantly, I want to know what you need and expect from me as your therapist.

You don't have to walk into your first session knowing exactly what to say or having all of your goals figured out. We'll talk about your experiences, relationships, current challenges, strengths, and the areas of your life you'd like to work on at a pace that feels comfortable.

I also want you to leave that first session feeling like you were genuinely heard and that we have a direction moving forward. Therapy is a partnership, so we'll begin identifying goals together and discussing how I can best support you while also providing the encouragement, honesty, and accountability needed to help you grow.