Dr. Latoya Smalls

I am a counseling professional holding licenses and certification in mental health counseling, I hold a Doctorate Degree in Counselor Education and Supervision. As a counseling professional, it is essential to challenge my clients in a supportive and encouraging way that will not present as overly critical of their knowledge and experience, that will assist with promoting personal growth. As a therapist, I work to build trust in my clients, as this will allow them to feel safe and comfortable reaching outside of their comforts of growing and healing.

I have become more critically conscious and aware of power, privilege, and oppression and how they can be pathologized in traditional forms of counseling. I use my voice and skills as a tool to advocate for others, building critical consciousness and awareness. Becoming critically conscious has played a significant role in my personal and professional life. My counseling approach is centered on the Client-Centered Counseling approach to Counseling and Mindfulness-Based Counseling. Counseling approaches include CBT, ACT, and DBT, emphasizing self-esteem building. Treating symptoms: Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and challenges with life transitions.

Counseling professionals working from the philosophy of supporting their clients in becoming the best versions of themselves challenge their clients with goals and objectives geared towards building critical consciousness, which promotes critical reflection. My clients are inspired to begin to take ownership of their healing by engaging in activities that support personal growth. My objective is to inspire others to become empowered and motivate them to engage in critical self-reflection that promotes growth and development, along with the power to change the lives of others through knowledge that is based on liberation and healing.