Shantel Smythe, LMFT

(She/Her/Hers)

Specialities:

Relationship Issues | Couples Counseling | Family Therapy | BIPOC | LGBTQIA+ | Perfectionism | People-Pleasing| Neurodivergence | Code-Shifting

“You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.​”
~ Toni Morrison

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.​”
~ Anais Nin

Get in touch with Shantel Smythe, LMFT

Accepted Insurance Providers: BCBS, Medcost, AETNA, United Healthcare

Rates / Fees:
$175 Initial Intake Appointment
$150 60-Minute Session
$200 Couples Counseling Sessions, Private Pay Only
Limited $100 – $150 Sliding Scale Sessions

Specialties

I specialize in therapy for individuals and couples for:

My Approach & Philosophy

Along the road to becoming a therapist, I battled with anxiety and some deep-rooted trauma shit. How was I going to unpack all this stuff? I hid behind perfectionism, humor, and a strong black woman image, but inside I was struggling everyday with anger, sadness, and thoughts that never seemed to shut off. Constantly, I felt it wasn’t safe to truly be myself as a Black woman, as a human. Music and therapy were my releases. It’s where I started the path to reconciliation and feeling whole. But healing can be a long road you walk at different points, and therapy can be hard. But I believe the person you become during the journey is a different/better version of you than you might even think is possible.

You’re the people-pleaser, the fixer, the person who swoops in to save the day, the code-shifter, the family member, the parent, the perfectionist. Do you see yourself in lyrics to a song you love? Maybe it’s a TV/movie character. Tyrion Lannister, constantly trying to prove your worth, your existence? I love helping people find what clicks for them. Deep-dive work. Maybe positivity quotes and dream boards haven’t worked for you, but there’s something special about being creative, writing, art, or being in your happy place. You’re most free when you’re hiking, standing in the ocean, or on a road trip. You want that feeling more. More balance, self-acceptance, and reflection is the combo you need.

Therapy should be tailored to you. It’s why I use an eclectic approach; this isn’t a one-size fits all life, why would therapy be? I love seeing individuals and couples, BIPOC and LGBTQ+. I integrate modalities such as Person-Centered, Multi-Systemic, Narrative, ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), EFT, and Gottman techniques. Let’s clear and rewrite your story so you can feel whole, free, and authentically connected to the most important people to you.

When I am not therapizing, I am usually on some kind of adventure, reading all kinds of fiction, spending time with my family, rewatching Game of Thrones, or diving into true crime shows.

“Freeing yourself was one thing, claiming ownership of that freed self was another.”
~ Toni Morrison

You Deserve to Feel Great. I’m Here to Help.