LGBT therapists in Abingdon, VA

Trauma, relationship issues, and a lifetime of being misunderstood can profoundly impact our mental health and sense of self. Some of these experiences may be difficult to process on your own, or even say out loud. As a board-certified therapist, I help women with a history of trauma/codependency build confidence; reduce self-harming behaviors; and heal their relationship with themselves.

My name is Courtney Kadish-Smith and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I have worked in both mental health and addiction throughout my career. I have a passion for therapy and at the end of the day I am aware this is not an easy thing to commit too. Exploring into ourselves and working to get better is something that takes courage. I applaud you for reaching out in the first place and now we can take the step together towards making your life better.

I am a Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. I have a master’s degree in professional counseling and another in crisis and trauma counseling. I also have over 15 years of experience providing counseling and therapeutic support, so I feel confident that we can find success working together.

I help people heal from trauma, with a special focus on sexual trauma, and I’ve been honored to support a wide range of individuals — including women, men, military veterans, and LGBTQIA clients — as they work through their experiences and take meaningful steps toward healing. I also enjoy helping people work through challenging life transitions (e.g., parenthood, divorce, etc.) and identity-specific concerns (e.g., men's issues, women's issues, gender identity exploration). In addition to individual therapy, I also provide relationship therapy for monogamous, non-monogamous, and open relationships as well as psychological assessment (e.g., ADHD, dementia, learning disorder, mental health) for adults.

My journey stems from my own story of resilience in the face of hardships. I became a therapist because I have always wanted to help people through some of their darkest hours. Being exposed to some dark hours myself, I know that it is difficult to do it alone. When you have someone to confide in, assist you through the hard times, and just let you know that you are not alone, makes a difference.

My therapeutic approach includes CBT, Person-Centered Therapy, Relational Therapy, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, SFT, EMT, Gestalt, and just speaking like a human being. I offer a compassionate, trauma-informed space where you can feel safe, seen, and supported. My approach is relational and personalized—we'll explore your story together, build coping tools, and move toward healing with curiosity, courage, and care.

Therapy with me is real, down-to-earth, and never boring. I mix honesty, humor, and heart to make the process comfortable. I help adults manage emotions, build confidence, and tackle life's challenges with tools that work. Think of it as a safe space to be yourself, grow, and maybe laugh along the way. Please book here or at https://evolvetothrive9.com.