LMHC, 12 years of experience
Hello, I’m Brian Smerdon, a licensed therapist and founder of Mindensity Mental Health. My passion is helping older adults and their families feel seen, supported, and empowered as they navigate life’s challenges. With a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and ongoing doctoral work, I blend evidence-based care with a compassionate, culturally attuned approach. I believe therapy should feel safe, dignified, and accessible—never clinical or intimidating. Beyond the therapy room, I specialize in creative outreach: designing senior-friendly resources, animated videos, and community education that make mental health approachable. Whether you’re seeking support for anxiety, depression, grief, or simply want to strengthen resilience, I meet you where you are with empathy and clarity. My goal is simple: to normalize mental health care for seniors and their families, and to create spaces where healing feels both personal and empowering.
Our first meeting is all about creating a safe, welcoming space where you can share at your own pace. I’ll begin by getting to know you—your story, your goals, and what brought you to therapy. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out; this time is for us to explore together. We’ll talk about what you’d like to focus on, whether it’s managing stress, coping with loss, navigating life transitions, or simply finding more balance. I’ll also explain how therapy works, answer any questions, and outline how we can collaborate moving forward. Think of it as a gentle conversation rather than an interview. My role is to listen with care, offer clarity, and help you feel supported. By the end of our session, you’ll have a clearer sense of what therapy with me looks like and how we can move toward the changes you want.
• Compassionate Connection – I create a safe, dignified space where older adults and families feel heard, respected, and supported. • Evidence‑Based Care – My counseling is grounded in proven approaches, balanced with warmth and cultural sensitivity. • Creative Outreach – I design engaging, senior‑friendly resources—flyers, videos, and community education—that make mental health approachable. • Clear Communication – Whether in therapy sessions or outreach materials, I translate complex ideas into language that feels accessible and empowering. • Adaptability – I tailor care and messaging for diverse platforms and audiences, ensuring seniors and their families can connect with support wherever they are. • Vision for Change – My long‑term goal is to normalize mental health care for seniors, making it accessible and dignified in Daytona Beach and beyond.
I work best with older adults, seniors, and their families who are seeking compassionate support during life’s transitions. Many of my clients are navigating challenges such as grief, loneliness, anxiety, or adjusting to health changes, and they value a safe space where dignity and emotional connection come first. I also welcome family members who want guidance in supporting their loved ones, as well as individuals who may feel hesitant about therapy but are open to exploring it in a gentle, accessible way. My ideal clients are those who appreciate clear communication, cultural sensitivity, and a collaborative approach to healing. Together, we focus on building resilience, restoring hope, and making mental health care feel approachable and empowering at every stage of life.
I have extensive experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with older adults and their families. Over the years, I’ve seen how this approach can gently uncover patterns of thought and behavior that may be contributing to stress, anxiety, or depression. In our sessions, I adapt the method to meet each client’s pace and comfort level. For seniors, that often means slowing down the process, using clear and accessible language, and weaving in real‑life examples that feel relevant. I combine evidence‑based techniques with compassion, ensuring the treatment feels supportive rather than clinical. My goal is always to empower clients with practical tools they can use outside of therapy—whether that’s reframing negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness, or building healthier coping strategies. By blending structure with empathy, I help clients feel both guided and respected as they move toward greater resilience and emotional well‑being.