Casey Smith, LCSW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Casey Smith

Casey Smith

(he/him)

LCSW
12 years of experience
Virtual

Frequently rebooked

New clients continue care with this provider

A banana takes nine months in a bag in another country to be ready. Give yourself the grace to get ripe and be ready! Part of who the willingness to talk about the 1%. I believe it's crucial to talk about the thing that stays late at night, when the door closes, something that as a neurodivergent therapist, I understand that feeling deeply and recognize that there is no such thing as a "crazy thought." I believe therapy should be about both meticulously breaking down the smallest things that weigh on you and equipping you with concrete steps to reclaim your zest for life. My passion lies with those whose stories often go untold.You might notice my fedora, which is my own way of letting my zest shine. It's different, it's loud, and it reminds me of my own journey. This is therapy for those who want to silence the voices that have held them back, embrace their unique journey, and become fierce advocates for themselves and the causes they believe in. If you're tired of feeling unheard, unfulfilled, or disconnected from your purpose, my hope is that we can collaborate and reclaim your power, communicate confidently, set boundaries, and rediscover your joy. This journey is especially transformative if you're an advocate for social justice, inspired by a family legacy of activism, or seeking to integrate your personal experiences with passion. Are you ready to reclaim your story and rediscover your zest for life?

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our initial session, I will focus on getting to know you deeply and holistically. We will explore: Your current situation: Understanding where you are in your life, including your daily routines, relationships, and any immediate concerns or stressors. Your goals and dreams: Discuss where you want to go and what you hope to achieve, both in the short term and long term. This includes personal, professional, and emotional aspirations. Your challenges and obstacles: Identify any barriers that might be in your way, whether they are internal (like fears or doubts) or external (like financial or social constraints). Your strengths and resources: Highlighting what you already have that can help you on your journey, such as personal qualities, supportive relationships, and available resources. Your morals and values: Understanding what principles guide your life and decisions. This includes your core beliefs, ethical standards, and what you consider most important. Your experiences: Talking about what has happened in your life and what hasn’t. This includes significant life events, traumas, achievements, and missed opportunities. Your skills: Recognizing the skills you possess, both those you use regularly and those you might not have fully tapped into yet. Nothing is off the table. I want to talk about everything that matters to you. My aim is for you to feel truly heard and understood. I aim to be genuinely transformative with you from the moment we start. I want you to feel as if you have my undivided attention and that we can navigate through anything together.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

My greatest strength is my unique and rich personal story, which has really shaped how I work and what I care about. I was adopted at 20 by a loving, gay hippie who protested back in the 60s. Since then, my life has been filled with colorful experiences, the sounds of protest songs, and the feeling of a home where everyone was welcome. My adoptive parent, a true pioneer, taught me so much about understanding others, accepting people for who they are, and the importance of community. His family showed me a world full of creativity and open-mindedness, where music, art, and standing up for what you believe in were a big deal. That's where I learned how important it is to express yourself, celebrate being different, and fight for what's right, especially for the LGBTQ+ community and other groups that are often pushed to the side. Because of all this, I truly believe that we all have a bit of an artist, an activist, and a free spirit inside us, just waiting to come out. My birth parents, who both had disabilities, and the rest of my birth family, who were clam diggers with hands roughened by the sea but spirits as strong as the ocean, taught me about toughness and determination when facing hard times, including dealing with ableism and money problems. This has really stuck with me. My journey has been even more amazing because of my loving female partner, who is legally blind and in whom we share four children together with. Seeing how strong and resilient they are in a world that isn't always easy for people with disabilities has made me understand people better and has inspired me to be a more caring and inclusive therapist. All of this has made me really appreciate how strong people can be and the unique challenges that people from all walks of life face. In my work, I want to create a safe and welcoming place where LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized groups can heal and grow. I believe in talking openly and honestly, even about the tough stuff, and always making sure that blame is placed where it belongs. I hope that, together, we can get through life's ups and downs, build strength, and connect with each other in a real way. One of my biggest strengths is being able to see the big picture and help you figure out a plan. I use different tools like mind maps, looking at the best and worst possibilities, and thinking about things from different angles. I also bring in what's happening in the world to help give context. But most importantly, I know

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal client is someone who often feels that small things hold large meaning but struggles to voice those feelings. Perhaps you don't feel calm or "normal," or your inner thoughts sometimes seem "crazy." You're ready to dive deep into these experiences, but you also want tangible steps and practical tools to help you move forward. We're a great match if you're looking for a therapist who isn't tied to one specific modality but rather adapts to what you need in the moment. My diverse background in advocacy informs my work as a therapist, where I empower clients to explore their zest for life, navigate moral complexities, and become their own best advocates. I believe in the transformative power of simple actions, such as asking questions, challenging existing narratives, and rewriting past injustices. Our journey will begin by exploring your personal narrative and challenging limiting beliefs. In a safe, supportive space, we'll practice "waging good conflict," empowering you to communicate authentically and set healthy boundaries. Together, we'll reignite your passions and rediscover the zest for life that makes you uniquely you.

About Casey Smith

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Relational

I use Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) to guide our work together. My approach emphasizes the importance of relationships and mutual empathy, creating a supportive environment where we can explore your experiences as a team. Together, we'll reclaim your zest for life, navigate hard conversations, and solve problems from a trauma-informed perspective. By working collaboratively, we can build resilience and achieve personal transformation.

Experiential Therapy

I’m passionate about helping individuals discover and maximize their best selves through experiential therapy techniques. My approach is rooted in the belief that therapy should be an engaging, dynamic process that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. I strive to create a collaborative and supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a safe and non-judgmental space. One of the unique aspects of my practice is my use of movies, TIk-Tok, current events, and your day-to-day experinces as therapeutic tools. I believe that these mediums can provide powerful insights and reflections on our own lives. By discussing characters, plotlines, and real-world scenarios, clients can gain new perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of their own experiences. This approach not only makes therapy more relatable but also helps clients connect with their emotions and thoughts in a meaningful way. In our sessions, we might watch a movie clip that resonates with your current struggles or discuss a recent news event that has impacted you. These discussions can open up new avenues for self-reflection and growth, allowing you to see your challenges from different angles and find creative solutions. Whether it’s exploring themes of resilience in a favorite film or analyzing the emotional impact of a current event, these experiential techniques can be incredibly effective in fostering personal growth and healing. I also integrate other experiential methods such as role-playing, guided imagery, and creative arts to help clients express themselves and work through their issues. My goal is to support you in your journey towards self-discovery and empowerment, helping you to unlock your full potential and live a more fulfilling life. My goal is for us to work together to explore your inner world and find the best ways to maximize your strengths and achieve your goals.

Trauma-Focused CBT

This approach is grounded in the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and by changing how we think, we can change how we feel and act. However, I also recognize that healing from trauma is not something that can be done in isolation. This is where relational cultural theory comes in. This theory posits that growth and healing occur through connection with others. It supports the idea that we are not alone in our experiences and that sharing our stories within a supportive environment can be incredibly powerful. I also use some narrative therapy techniques that complement this by helping clients reframe their experiences and see themselves as the authors of their own stories. By externalizing problems and viewing them as separate from their identity, clients can gain a new perspective on their trauma and begin to rewrite their narratives in a way that empowers them. An essential part of this process is helping you develop or have hard conversations. This means supporting you in resolving conflicts or situations that constructively challenge your values rather than avoiding them. Part of this process is placing blame in the right place, which is crucial for healing. Often, individuals who have experienced trauma may internalize blame, believing that they are at fault for what happened to them. Through our work together, we aim to shift this perspective, helping clients understand that the responsibility for the trauma lies with the perpetrator, not themselves. This shift includes understanding the oppressive, cultural, environmental, and structural impacts on us and recognizing the impact. This broader perspective can be incredibly liberating and is a vital step in healing. By integrating relational cultural theory, narrative therapy, and the principles of having hard conversations and placing blame appropriately into my trauma-focused CBT practice, I help clients see that their trauma does not define them and that they are not alone in their struggles. This collaborative approach allows clients to feel seen, heard, and understood, fostering a sense of empowerment and resilience. Through this combined approach, I aim to create a safe and supportive space where clients can explore their trauma, challenge negative beliefs, and build meaningful connections with others. My goal is to help clients heal from their past and thrive in their present and future.