Eleanor Smith

Hi,

My name is Eleanor, and I am glad that you’re here.

My passion in this work is to help those who struggle to find their voice and authentic self due to obstacles like trauma, anxiety, grief, depression, low self-esteem, etc. These obstacles that I named often become blinders and part of the identity as one encounters life transitions and forming relationships with others. My job in all of this is to sit with, hear, and help guide him/her back to their true self where they can feel safe and at home. 

What was life changing for me, personally, was realizing that my identity didn’t lie in the obstacles. All of those obstacles were separate from me. I found new ways to rediscover who I truly am which brought me joy, fun, and the ability to regulate myself and feel safe. 

My passion lies in the creativity and learning experience of counseling. I love to incorporate art and mindfulness in my sessions when appropriate. I have learned through my own personal injuries that my body has wisdom and that it is important to slow down and listen to it. My hope is to help my clients understand this as well and be able to use their bodies to self-regulate. 

What made me pursue counseling was the freedom that counseling gave me to be my true self and how I have to continually work on that self. I want you to experience the freedom, joy, and creativity that comes with exploring your personal story and creating a new one. 

I have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, and a Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University. A few of my favorite authors and teachers in this field include Tara Brach, Louise Hay, Brene Brown, and Chip Dodd.

In my free time, I love to cook meals with family and friends, paint with watercolors, go to concerts, sit by the fire with a good book, attend barre classes, and walk outside with my black lab, Keely. 

I look forward to meeting you and sitting together with you soon.