OUR THERAPIST
Professional support services provided in a empathetic, nonjudgmental and safe
environment.
Hello! I am Denise
Clinician
Dr. Denise Smith is a native Floridian and product of the public schools of Palm Beach County, FL. For the past 26 years, she has dedicated her professional career to working within the education system and other non-profit organizations. Dr. Smith provides counseling, consulting, and coaching services and believes that every individual, if given the proper guidance, can find a path to their own personal success. Her goal is to help clients realize their potential through a collaborative process that equips them with the necessary tools to make changes that positively impact their lives.
Dr. Smith’s experience in counseling and psychotherapy, enables her to work with clients to create tailor-made treatment plans that are designed specifically for each individual client, allowing them to achieve their goals and become emotionally, socially, physically, spiritually, and intellectually healthy, happier individuals. She has extensive experience in working with children, adolescents, families, depression, anxiety, anger management, conflict resolution, stress management, self-confidence, grief/loss, trauma, and marital/relationship issues.
My Approach & Values
My approach to therapy combines my clients’ unique needs with the power of the therapeutic relationship. I embrace a strengths-based perspective that will build the resiliency individuals, couples, and families need to grow, heal, and have clarity about the future. I also draw from the theories of several forms of psychotherapy in endeavoring to understand and meet the individual needs of each person, couple, and family. These theories include, but are not limited to, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, solution-focused, reality-based, client-centered, holistic, and family systems theories. The techniques that I utilize may include psychoeducation, imagery, role-play, relaxation, positive decision-making, dialogue, reframing of negative thoughts, and mindfulness.
As a clinician, I work collaboratively with each person to understand the issues and work towards autonomy that helps find or create balance in every area of life. I am dedicated to helping people develop increased self-awareness and acquiring healthy coping skills as they work towards improving their mental health and walking in the freedom they need and deserve. We will work together to establish realistic and attainable goals. These goals are flexible and may need to be modified throughout the therapeutic process as the needs of the individual, couple or family change. When cultivated and partnered with my diversity of experiences, the therapeutic process can focus on the relationship between mind, body, and spirit, to understand and address the issues that have caused distress in order to move beyond them and improve each person’s overall quality of life.
My philosophical approach is based on the belief that the client possesses the power to change, and it is my role to help the client become aware of how to understand and utilize that power. I challenge my clients to do the work to facilitate change in their lives. I encourage them to find their inner strength, resilience, and confidence. I offer them hope and the skills to conquer their issues, no matter how difficult they might seem. Ultimately, they are more self-aware and feel more comfortable in their own skin. This leads to greater vitality, peace of mind, and overall wholeness.
Work Experience
- School District of Palm Beach County
- Children’s Home Society, Inc.
- Professional Certified School Counselor
- Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern (#IMH20463), State of Florida
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
- Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, FL
- Doctorate of Philosophy in Performance Psychology, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona