About Deanna Smith, LPC

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re already carrying anxiety, trauma, or the pressure to keep everything together. Many of the clients I work with feel stuck in survival mode: always worried, unable to fully rest, or so exhausted that getting started feels impossible. Others feel unseen or undervalued in their relationships, struggle with intrusive thoughts, or find themselves suddenly activated when past experiences are triggered.

My goal is to offer therapy that feels steady, supportive, and responsive to your nervous system — not another place where you’re expected to push through or perform.

My Approach to Trauma-Informed Therapy

I take a trauma-informed, mind-body approach to therapy that prioritizes safety, collaboration, and pacing. Rather than focusing solely on thoughts or behaviors, we pay attention to how stress, trauma, and overwhelm live in the body and nervous system.

Many of the people I work with are tired of hearing what they should be doing. Therapy with me is about slowing things down enough to understand what your system is asking for — and learning how to respond with curiosity and care.

A Biology-Focused, Non-Pathologizing Lens

I don’t view anxiety, trauma responses, or emotional shutdown as signs of weakness or failure. I see them as intelligent responses shaped by biology, experience, and context. What often gets labeled as “symptoms” are signals that something needs attention.

Healing isn’t about trying harder or thinking your way out of pain. It’s about understanding how your nervous system works and learning ways to support regulation, resilience, and connection — so your head and heart can come back into sync.

Who I Work With

I work with adults who are navigating anxiety, trauma, and major life transitions. My practice is individual-focused, allowing space for depth, consistency, and individualized care.

I especially serve neurodivergent women and women in helping roles — including teachers, therapists, and mothers — who are often used to supporting others while quietly running on empty.

My work is neurodiversity-affirming and does not aim to make you more “typical.” Instead, therapy focuses on understanding how your nervous system is wired and helping you build a life that supports who you actually are.

Therapy Modalities I Use

I integrate evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches and adapt them to the needs of each client. Modalities I use include:

• Somatic Therapy, including certification in the Trauma Resiliency Model

• EMDR

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

These approaches are used flexibly and collaboratively, always in service of your goals and capacity.

My Background and Experience

I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and have been in practice since 2019. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor with experience in agency settings, school-based mental health, and private practice.

While I’ve worked with children and families in the past, my current work focuses primarily on adult women with complex trauma histories and neurodivergent women seeking therapy that respects both their biology and lived experience.

Outside the Therapy Room

When I’m not wearing my therapist hat, I can usually be found reading, crafting, or participating in community theater projects — places where creativity, play, and connection get to take the lead.