Charles Smiley
I am passionate about providing compassionate, intentional, and nonjudgmental care that helps clients work toward meaningful goals and lasting personal growth. My approach to therapy is collaborative and supportive, creating a space where you can feel heard, explore your experiences, process difficult emotions, and develop practical tools to navigate life's challenges. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with nearly 10 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults across a variety of mental health and community settings. My professional background includes psychiatric emergencies, crisis stabilization, residential care, criminal justice, homelessness and housing services, developmental disabilities, private practice, school-based and community-based therapy, and individual and family counseling. These experiences have shaped my understanding of the unique challenges people face and the importance of meeting each person with compassion, respect, and individualized care.
You Deserve to Feel Safe, Seen, and Supported in Your Healing
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2015, Bachelor of Social Work in 2017, and Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) in 2019 from the University of Louisville and its Kent School of Social Work. My therapeutic approach incorporates evidence-based practices, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which can help individuals process traumatic experiences and address related emotional distress. I strive to tailor therapy to your needs, pace, and goals while helping you build resilience, strengthen coping skills, and move toward healing. I believe therapy is a space where you can show up as you are, without fear of judgment or pressure to have everything figured out. Whether you are navigating anxiety, difficult life experiences, emotional challenges, or seeking personal growth, we can work together to identify your strengths and develop a path forward that feels right for you. Outside of therapy, I enjoy spending time with my family, engaging in sports, hiking, learning new skills, and binge-watching Netflix.
Strengths
My style of therapy is best described as transformative. I will always be your biggest fan and celebrate your successes with you. At the same time, I promise to hold up a mirror to those necessary areas of growth so we can maximize your potential towards becoming your best self.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize CBT to assist clients in identifying how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect one another. I initiate services collectively with clients by building rapport, identifiying personal treatment goals, helps clients challenge unhelpful thoughts, and teaches practical coping skills to improve emotional regulation and daily functioning.
EMDR
EMDR helps clients process distressing memories and experiences that contribute to emotional distress. The therapist builds trust, develops coping and grounding skills, and uses guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help clients process traumatic experiences, reduce emotional distress, and develop healthier beliefs about themselves.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy helps clients become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without judgment. The therapist teaches techniques such as breathing exercises, grounding, and present-moment awareness to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and develop healthier responses to difficult situations.
Motivational Interviewing
MI helps clients explore their feelings about change, identify personal goals, and strengthen their motivation to make positive changes. The therapist uses open-ended questions, active listening, and supportive feedback to help clients recognize their own reasons for change.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT helps clients manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and reduce harmful behaviors. The therapist teaches practical skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and effective communication to improve daily functioning.
Location
Virtual sessions