I am Dr. Karnesha L. Smith a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who attained a Master of Social Work degree, with a concentration in mental health, from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2012. In 2020, I earned my Doctorate in Social Work from Capella University. I have been a practicing clinician for over ten years and believe in building rapport with clients and meeting them where they are. “Come as you are, I will meet you there, and we will figure it out together” is something I often tell my clients, especially those nervous about the therapeutic process. I intentionally create a safe space to ensure my clients are at ease and comfortable in vulnerable moments. I am trained in a myriad of treatment modalities, I am a subject matter expert in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy.

I enjoy working with people to help them build a strong sense of self, encourage their confidence in relationships, and help foster a sense of calm and security in their everyday life. I enjoy helping parents navigate the many challenges that come our way. I believe people seek therapy for many reasons: adjustment to a new city or life situation, feeling overwhelmed or stuck, or problems with relationships. Counseling is a process that most of us could benefit from time to time at different stages in life, as it brings an outsider's perspective to events, we are faced with in day-to-day life in a nonjudgmental way.

I'm looking to partner with you to merge our strengths in order to discern which tools will be most effective in your journey. I have been working with children and their families my entire career. Since 2010, I have worked with children and their families as an intensive in-home counselor, a counselor and supervisor for therapeutic day treatment in the schools, an outpatient therapist and a residential treatment therapist. My Master of Social Work came from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2013. In addition, I have trained others in the ASSIST Living Works Suicide Prevention program in order to break down the avoidance of conversation surrounding suicide. Prior to becoming a therapist, I graduated from Duke Divinity School with a Master of Religious Education, Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity and worked in the church as a minister. While my worldview is Christian and I hope everyone can have a spiritual journey, I am respectful of various views. I look forward to walking with you as you move toward a more meaningful life.

Hi there! Let's sit and chat... Are you looking for a safe space to explore and organize your thoughts and feelings? Many people see therapy as a one-sided conversation, with little opportunity for interaction or getting to experience one another as real people. I can assure you our sessions will be as real as it gets! I want to help you achieve whatever solutions and life changes you are looking for. We'll work on building trust and a sense of safety, using open communication and humor, to identify how we can improve on your already existing coping skills, supports, and knowledge. Although this process may be challenging, we will work to enjoy the process as much as possible, so you can experience yourself, your relationships, and your life in new ways. Simply put, I don't think therapy has to be a painful thing for you. Starting this step can be hard and I would love the opportunity to work with you on this journey. For Private Pay Clients: Individual Sessions: $230/hour Couple/Family Sessions: $230/hour **All couples and families are seen via private pay. This allows us to focus on the relationships in the room, rather than the diagnosis of an individual. **For those out of network, should you meet criteria for a diagnosis accepted by insurance companies, I can provide monthly superbills that you may submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. Please note that the payments received by the insurance provider as reimbursement may not cover the full service fee and I cannot guarantee reimbursement.

I’ve been a counselor for 25 years and have lots of life experience to add to our counseling experience. I enjoy using humor, and evidence-based treatment to help clients reach their goals. I am a licensed clinical social worker and have a PhD in counseling. I believe in client self-determination, and will work with you to achieve the goals that matter to you.