Tifini Smith

Therapy with me is not about being handed a worksheet and told to “do better.” I show up as a real person: I will laugh with you, stay present in difficult moments, and honestly share what I notice. I ask questions that move beyond the polished version of your story. I hold a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Midwestern State University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of West Georgia. My experience includes crisis stabilization, partial hospitalization, and private practice, focused on trauma, addiction, and life’s harder transitions.

My approach begins with genuine connection, trust, and safety before any technique. I use CBT and DBT to help you understand the thoughts and reactions behind your stress while building practical skills in emotional regulation, communication, and distress tolerance. I work collaboratively, so we create a plan together rather than rely on a generic formula. If trauma comes up, we address it with care and patience, never urgency. My goal is for you to feel heard, supported, and equipped beyond our sessions.

Your first session is a chance to get oriented to me, the therapy process, and what is happening in your life right now. There is no script to follow and nothing you need to prepare. We will discuss what brought you in, how daily life has been, and what meaningful change could look like for you. I will ask questions to understand the fuller picture, not just the surface. We will end with a sense of whether we are a good fit and a flexible starting point for our work.