Shannon Smith

I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor, licensed to practice in Louisiana and Tennessee. I opened my private practice in the fall of 2020, with a goal to create a warm, accepting, and affirming space, especially for those who often feel "othered." As a counselor, I am privileged to walk alongside clients on their paths to self-discovery, healing, and wellness. I combine compassion with directness, practicing with an anti-discrimination, anti-oppression, and anti-racist orientation. I deeply value the ways your personal experiences shape your views of yourself, others, and the world. My approach to counseling is integrative, client-centered, trauma-informed, and relational, aiming to support your personal growth and development. I emphasize non-stigmatizing, non-pathologizing, and compassionate modalities, drawing from: Feminist Theory Social Justice Approaches Polyvagal Theory Brainspotting Systems Theory Emotionally Focused Therapy Attachment-Based Therapy Parts Work/Internal Family Systems (IFS) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Mindfulness I strive to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for members of the LGBTQIA community. I will be affirming of your gender and sexual identity, and I hope to assist you though regular therapy or by providing needed letters for gender-affirming medical care. As a member of SAIGE (Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expressive Identities), WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health), and GALAP (The Gender-Affirming Letter Access Project), I engage in ongoing continuing education and consultation regarding issues that affect the mental health and wellness of LGBTQIA clients.