Barbara Smith

Barbara Smith, MBA., MA., LPC#84835, LCDC#15519 Hello: My name is Barbara, and I am a professional counselor located in Texas. I believe everybody has the right to be happy - whatever that means for them. When we are in session, it is Your time. I come from a non-judgmental, person-centered approach. I have no preset objective; other than, to listen and encourage you in whatever way is needed. I do not believe that someone's past determines their destiny, or that they are defined by a single event(s). It's never too late to discover a state of peace and become the best version of yourself.

My approach

I like to incorporate Positive psychology, CBT (how our feelings and thoughts impact our behaviors). Existentialism is therapy I use often - examining and defining our purpose. Finding meaning in our life. I also incorporate short-term, solution focused, and additional modalities when appropriate. I meet people where they are in the moment.

My focus

At our core we are all sharing the human experience. I enjoy working with people of all demographics. I see clients ages 12 through adulthood who struggle with: Relationships, Trauma - Traumatic childhood, Addictions, Grief, Bi-Polar 2, Borderline Personality (BDP), Divorce, Infidelity and life changes/stressors.

My communication style

My focus includes optimism, courage and tenacity to get to the root cause of discomfort. Nothing makes me happier than to see my clients succeed. Because of my own diverse life experiences and career background; I can help clients see things from a different perspective. I enjoy learning from my clients. Everybody is unique, and I like to help clients discover their superpowers and how to use them to their advantage.

My journey to mental healthcare

Growing up one of my favorite things was daytime television, I loved to listen to the guest share their stories. I've always been "that" person. The person people gravitate towards when they need encouragement, or someone to listen. For 25+ years, I worked in a corporate environment that served me well. However, it was always my plan to return to counseling. When it became possible to leave that job, I did return to school "mid-life" and became a therapist. This work is not for everyone, and the journey was not always easy. However, watching others grow and live their better life, inspires me and enriches my life.

My goals for you

When clients come to me with a specific issue or goal - I can help them put together a plan for success. However, it may be that the goal is identifying the issue. In this case, we will start at the beginning and adjust the goals as needed during the process.

My first session with you

In our first session, I would like to get to know more about you. What do you enjoy doing. What's bringing you into the office today. There is no rush to divulge all your deepest darkest secrets. I like to let the relationship develop organically. The main thing I want for my client is to leave feeling better than when they came in. I want to help them find hope. Together we can work on defining goals and come up with a plan to accomplish those goals. Sometimes you may just need someone to listen, and I can be available for that too.