Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Grief, Crisis Intervention and 7 more.
(he/him)
New to Grow
My name is James Smith. I am a graduate of Florida State University College of Social Work. I lived in FL nearly all of my life, until in 2024 I had a chance to live closer to family in TN. My primary practice has been in the medical field, especially working with seniors with dementia and hospice. I currently work with dialysis patients. I am currently licensed in FL and TN and open for new patients. I believe that most individuals needing therapy already have the answers that they seek and need a trusted individual to listen to their concerns. When problems arise, I help you to navigate through your ideas, provide feedback and help you find success. I enjoy spending time with my family, training for and completing triathlons and working for better handwriting tools for lefties.
Your first session is a great way for us to get to know one another. I will ask you questions about any concerns you've had and determining goals for our sessions. I will always say if there is any information you'd like to share, I'm open to hearing it. I will likely ask for additional information, but you only need to share what you're comfortable with. In this way, we can develop a trusting relationship and build into opportunities for growth.
As I mentioned in my bio, I feel that most patients already have awareness of the concerns that they have. In many instances, a trusted confidant that will listen to you is what many individuals needs. For those needing additional support, I can offer feedback, and goal setting opportunities, while pointing out strengths and working through different paths to enhance abilities surrounding weaknesses.
My primary clients have been working with seniors and caregivers of persons with dementia and chronic health issues and grief issues. I have also worked with many trauma patients while answering the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Your approach to therapy is one where you can trust me as a provider and allowing me access to the things that you find difficult. Your approach should be "coachable" and willing to try new ways of thinking and enhancing the strengths that you already possess. You may have been taught that "time heals all wounds," but some wounds that we hold need adequate attention.
Faith can be a strong tool for getting through many things, and I will work with your faith background to help guide you in the process, while also utilizing additional methods to enhance the strengths you possess. If you are not a part of a faith background, I am willing to offer support and counseling.
Who isn't their "own worsts enemy," often focusing on the weaknesses that we hand listening more to the negative voices in our minds. I will help you to identify the strengths that you have and enhance them with additional methods so that your work is beneficial.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a way to work as a team to battle many mental health concerns, specifically anxiety and depression. The goal of this therapy is to identify events that evoke negative thoughts and behaviors and teach you ways to recognize them quickly, determine if they are realistic and work together to determine ways to break through and achieve SMART goals.
Trauma is self-determined. What may be trauma to one individual may not rise to that same level. We will work to define your trauma and utilize tools that will help you see that YOU are not the trauma that you have experienced. We will a process called the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) that is likened to EMDR, but is a safe and simple method that will help you regain control of your mind and emotions.