I have worked with many adolescents, adults, women, and men through issues of self-esteem, trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief and loss, substance use, domestic violence, relationship issues, adjustment to life changes, and identifying issues. I earned my degree from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and worked in several domains that have aided the work I have done over the course of 20 years and licensed with my LCPC. During this time, I learned that the most important aspect of getting to a place of healing is to cultivate a safe environment. It is important to me to help those feel comfortable with their wounds so they can begin to heal. We will walk the path together at a pace you can handle, taking the puzzle pieces one at a time, and creating the picture you want for yourself.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I like to gather information that gives a clinical picture of what could be happening. There will be a lot of questions of background information in a way that is not punitive. Some questions may feel too personal but this is to best tailor who we will work together as well as determine the challenges/struggles you are faced with that present areas of concern in day to day life. This then sets the tone of our work together in sessions to follow.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I present with a very caring and authentic approach. I see everyone as unique individuals regardless of the presentation. I am able to help patients discover new ways of viewing a specific problem of concern. I do this by being open, honest, and providing a sense of safety that patients can speak about without judgement. This time is for them to be able to sort out the thoughts they feel others may not understand.
About Lovea Smith
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
It is important to help people to develop better coping skills that challenge thought processes and beliefs to gain confidence and face fears of their lives rooted in anxiety that influences depressive moods.
Compassion Focused
Caring and compassion goes hand in hand with developing rapport and continuing rapport and trust in the relationship.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Everyone comes with a unique packaging of who they are (gender, race, sexual orientation, disability etc.) that it important to who they are and how they present in the world.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma comes up in our lives in a way that changes how we think and how we approach circumstances. When we are trauma informed, we stop asking questions what is wrong and changing the question to what happened to this person. We become more sensitive to the needs of a person when we change the way we approach and view the issues presented in front of us.
Strength-Based
When going through life challenges, we forget what we are good at and what makes us who we are. Re-learning and establishing strengths, helps patients become prepared to handle the situations they present with in therapy.