Mary Smith
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a doctorate in social work, but those credentials only tell you part of who I am. I’m direct, curious, compassionate, and neurodivergent. I have ADHD, which means I understand firsthand that the way someone’s brain works doesn’t always fit the expectations placed on them. I also know that understanding yourself and figuring out what actually works for you aren’t necessarily the same thing.
You bring your experiences. I bring curiosity, compassion, and a different perspective.
My approach to therapy is conversational, collaborative, and sometimes unconventional. I ask questions, appreciate humor, and believe there’s room for both compassion and accountability. I won’t shame you for struggling, but I also won’t pretend that meaningful change happens without effort. I’ve worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and veterans, and I draw from a variety of therapeutic approaches rather than expecting everyone to fit into one particular method. I believe therapy works best when we can both be genuine. You don’t have to agree with everything I say, and I don’t expect you to have everything figured out when you walk through the door.
First session
Our first session is really about getting to know each other. Yes, I’ll ask questions about your history, what’s bringing you to therapy, and what you’d like to be different. But I’m interested in who you are beyond a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. You don’t need to have everything figured out, know where to start, or tell me your entire life story in one sitting. We’ll have a conversation, explore what’s been happening, and begin identifying what might be helpful. I’ll also explain how I work, and you’re welcome to ask questions, disagree, or tell me if something doesn’t feel right. My hope is that you leave feeling heard, understood, and maybe a little more curious about yourself. I don’t expect you to know after one session whether I’m the right therapist for you. We’re both getting to know each other, and finding the right fit matters.
Strengths
I think one of my greatest strengths is my ability to meet people where they are without assuming that’s where they need to stay. I’m naturally curious, and I ask a lot of questions. Not because I’m looking for a particular answer, but because I genuinely want to understand how you see the world. I’m compassionate, but I’m also direct. I’ll validate your experiences while helping you recognize patterns, consider other perspectives, and challenge thoughts or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. Being neurodivergent myself has also influenced how I approach therapy. I understand that knowing what to do and actually doing it aren’t always the same thing. I’m creative and flexible in how we approach challenges, and if something isn’t working, we’ll explore why rather than simply keep doing it. My clinical experience has taught me that no single therapeutic approach works for everyone. I draw from different evidence-based methods, adapting our work to your needs rather than expecting you to fit a particular model. I bring humor, honesty, patience, and a genuine interest in people. I don’t expect perfection, and I won’t shame you for your struggles. What I do hope for is a willingness to be curious, participate, and sometimes get a little uncomfortable as we work toward meaningful change. And if you disagree with me? That’s okay, too. Some of our most productive conversations may start there.
Ideal clients
My ideal client isn’t someone who has everything figured out. It’s someone who’s willing to be curious about themselves, even when that feels uncomfortable. I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, ADHD, OCD, trauma, emotional regulation challenges, and the complexities of everyday life. Some feel overwhelmed by their thoughts, struggle with relationships, or have spent years feeling misunderstood. Others know something isn’t working but aren’t sure what needs to change. You don’t have to know exactly what you want from therapy when we first meet. You don’t even have to be particularly excited about being there. What matters to me is a willingness to participate, explore different perspectives, and gradually try something new. I enjoy working with people who appreciate honest conversations, a little humor, and a therapist who will both support and challenge them. We don’t have to agree on everything, and progress doesn’t have to be perfect. We just need to be willing to work together.
Origin story
My journey into this profession is deeply personal. I didn’t become a therapist because I had all the answers. In many ways, I was searching for answers myself. Both my biological father and stepfather were veterans. My biological father’s trauma affected his ability to have a relationship with me, and that absence mattered. It left me wanting to understand how people’s experiences shape who they become and how those experiences affect the people who love them. My own struggles, navigating challenges as a mother, and supporting my family through some incredibly difficult experiences also shaped my path. I’ve been the person trying to find answers, make difficult decisions, and navigate systems that don’t always consider the whole person or family. Those experiences gave me a personal understanding of how complicated life and relationships can be. They also taught me that you can love someone deeply and still struggle to understand what they’re going through. My education and clinical experience gave me the knowledge and tools to help others, but my personal experiences are what brought me to this work. I know what it’s like to sit on the other side of the conversation, and I carry that perspective into the way I practice. I don’t have all the answers, and I don’t pretend to. But I’m genuinely interested in helping people better understand themselves, their relationships, and the possibilities for change.
Ongoing work together
Our work together will evolve as we get to know each other and better understand what you’re experiencing. Some sessions may involve exploring past experiences or identifying patterns, while others may focus on developing skills, trying something different, or working through challenges as they happen. I don’t believe therapy has to look the same every week. Sometimes we need to talk, sometimes we need to practice, and sometimes we need to question what we think we already know. We’ll revisit your goals and regularly check whether what we’re doing is actually helping. Progress isn’t always a dramatic breakthrough. Sometimes it’s recognizing a pattern sooner, responding differently to a difficult situation, setting a boundary, or simply becoming more comfortable with yourself. My goal isn’t for you to need therapy forever. It’s to help you develop the understanding, confidence, and skills to navigate life with greater independence. And if something isn’t working, we’ll talk about it and adjust.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT to help clients change their relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions rather than spending all their energy trying to eliminate them. We explore how getting caught up in thoughts, avoiding discomfort, or trying to control things outside our control can keep us stuck. For example, instead of trying to convince yourself that an anxious thought isn’t true, we might practice noticing the thought without automatically responding to it. ACT also helps us identify what genuinely matters to you and how to make choices that reflect those values, even when life feels uncomfortable or uncertain. The goal isn’t to stop having difficult feelings. It’s to keep those feelings from making all your decisions.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions367 Riverside Dr, Franklin, TN 37064, Suite 102