Cristy Smith

There are many approaches to treating pain. Counseling deals primarily with common issues such as relationship problems, job stress or life changes. Psychotherapy goes into more depth and deals with specific symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive traits. The goal of psychotherapy is not to “fix” external problems, although that can be the result; rather, the purpose of psychotherapy is to understand the internal world of the client. Change and struggle are inevitable — but as we come to know and accept ourselves, we begin to respond to change and struggle in ways that cause us less distress. My role is to create an atmosphere of openness, curiousity, and trust so you are able to explore whatever is on your mind without needing to censor your thoughts or feelings. As time progresses, the hope is our relationship will provide insight into your day-to-day life. “Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals.