Teja Smith
LCSW-C, 4 years of experience
New to Grow
About me
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time,enjoying one moment at a time;accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; This prayer stays near my heart as it has helped me remain resilient during my personal times of hardship. As a former foster child who entered foster care at the age of 12 and aged out, I have a passion for serving children and adolescents who have similar experiences. However, this does not limit my empathy for serving individuals and groups who are committed to improving their mental health. I am an older sister of 10 siblings (8 of them being all boys). Therefore, I have the skills, abilities, and patience to build therapeutic relationships with children and adolescents seeking to build resilience and fortitude in improving their mental health and well-being. My approach to therapy includes, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, and Solutions-Focused. I love to listen to music in my free time as well as spend time with friends and family enjoying a competitive game night. Looking forward to working with you!
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
A first session with me involves building rapport and the therapeutic relationship. I am open to any questions you may have about me.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I prioritize clear, open communication to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment. I practice active listening and will give you opportunities to reflect on your experiences with me as an empathetic partner. If we're working through something challenging, you can expect me to be calm and patient.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
As a former foster child who entered foster care and aged out, I have a passion for serving children and adolescents who have similar experiences.