We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Selena Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Selena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I’ve been blessed and fortunate to have the opportunity to have an illustrious career spanning mental health, drug addiction, hypnosis, acudetox, and sex therapy, all with a faith-based cornerstone approach.

First, Thank you for having me. The legacy I wish to leave behind is one of unwavering hope and empowerment. Throughout my career, I have aimed to touch lives in profound ways, particularly those often overlooked or stigmatized. By integrating faith with therapy, I’ve found a unique path that not only heals but also uplifts the spirit. This holistic approach is at the heart of everything I do, from mental health services to addiction recovery and sex therapy.

My contributions have always been community-centric. I’ve worked closely with churches and community organizations to assist families and children, offering them the support and guidance they need to navigate life’s challenges. Gender-specific programming for women has been particularly close to my heart. Women face unique challenges, and providing tailored support for their recovery and education is crucial. My work with state and federal correctional departments has further emphasized the need for comprehensive rehabilitation programs that address mental health and addiction in a holistic manner.

Being an author and businesswoman allows me to reach and impact a broader audience. Through my books, I share knowledge and insights, hoping to inspire and educate others on their journeys. My entrepreneurial ventures provide platforms to develop and implement innovative programs that empower individuals and communities.

Extreme sports like skydiving and hang gliding have taught me valuable lessons about courage and resilience. These experiences remind me that fear can be a stepping stone rather than a barrier. This mindset is something I strive to instill in others, helping them realize their potential and overcome their fears.

Traveling has been transformative. It has broadened my perspective, allowing me to incorporate diverse cultural practices into my therapeutic approach. Understanding different cultural contexts enhances empathy and effectiveness in therapy. It also inspires innovative program development, ensuring that the services I offer are inclusive and resonate with individuals from various backgrounds.

My passion is driven by witnessing the transformative power of hope and empowerment in people’s lives. When individuals believe in themselves and have the tools to navigate their challenges, they can achieve remarkable things. Developing programs that foster this belief and provide practical support is my way of contributing to a brighter future for many.

In essence, I want my legacy to be a testament to the power of faith, hope, and resilience. By fostering these values, I aim to empower individuals to overcome adversity, embrace their potential, and lead fulfilling lives. Through my work, I hope to leave behind a world that is more compassionate, understanding, and supportive of those in need.

Dr. Selena, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Dr. Selena Smith, and my journey into the mental health field is deeply personal and profoundly rooted in my experiences. Growing up, I witnessed the impact of mental illness firsthand through my great aunt, a woman of remarkable strength and resilience who suffered from schizophrenia. Watching her navigate the challenges of her condition left an indelible mark on me. I saw the stigma and misunderstanding that often accompanies mental illness, and I felt a deep-seated desire to change this narrative.

I remember sitting with my great aunt during her moments of clarity, listening to her stories. She was a woman of immense wisdom, but her illness often overshadowed her true self. It was heartbreaking, but it also ignited a fire within me to understand mental health better and to help those who are often marginalized and misunderstood.

This personal experience drove me to pursue a rigorous academic path, earning degrees in psychology, counseling, and various specialized fields of therapy. My faith played a crucial role in my journey, providing a cornerstone of strength and guidance. Integrating faith-based principles into my practice, I developed a unique therapeutic approach that addresses not just the mind but the spirit and soul as well.

I’ve dedicated my career to creating gender-specific programs tailored for women, recognizing that our mental health needs are often unique and require specialized care. Working closely with community organizations and correctional departments, I’ve brought my expertise to those who need it most, aiming to provide comprehensive rehabilitation and support.

Outside of my professional life, I’m an adventurer at heart. I love skydiving and hang gliding, embracing extreme sports with the same fervor I bring to my work. There’s something about standing on the edge, ready to leap into the unknown, that’s incredibly exhilarating. It’s a metaphor for life. We all face moments of fear and uncertainty, but it’s how we confront those moments that define us.

My travels have taken me around the globe, immersing me in diverse cultures and traditions. These experiences have enriched my understanding of human nature and informed my therapeutic practices, making my approach more inclusive and empathetic.

My work is a testament to my belief in the power of hope and empowerment. I’m not just a therapist; I strive to be a mentor, a guide, and a friend to those I help. My programs are designed to foster self-belief and resilience, offering practical tools and unwavering support.

I want people to know that they are not alone, that their struggles do not define them. Through faith, support, and the right tools, anyone can overcome their challenges and lead a fulfilling life.

In every endeavor, I embody the spirit of compassion and strength. My legacy is one of hope, empowerment, and unyielding faith in the human spirit. For those who have had the privilege of working with me or benefiting from my programs, I hope to be a beacon of light in times of darkness, a testament to the transformative power of love and understanding.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the most profound lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that vulnerability is a weakness. Growing up, I was taught that strength meant never showing weakness, never letting anyone see you struggle. This belief was deeply ingrained in me, and it influenced how I approached my personal and professional life.

The backstory to this lesson begins with my great aunt, who suffered from schizophrenia. Watching her struggle in silence, trying to maintain a façade of strength while battling her inner demons, left a lasting impression on me. It made me believe that the only way to survive life’s challenges was to do so without showing any signs of vulnerability.

As I ventured into the mental health field, I carried this belief with me. I thought that to be an effective therapist and leader, I had to always appear strong and in control. However, this mindset started to take its toll on me. I found it increasingly difficult to connect with my clients on a deeper level because I was not allowing myself to be truly open and authentic with them.

The turning point came during a session with a client who had been through immense trauma. She looked at me and said, “Dr. Smith, how can I open up to you when I feel like you’re always so perfect and put together?” Her words hit me hard. It made me realize that by not showing my own vulnerabilities, I was unintentionally creating a barrier between myself and the people I was trying to help.

This moment sparked a journey of self-reflection and growth. I began to understand that true strength comes from embracing our vulnerabilities, not hiding them. I started to share my own struggles and experiences with my clients, showing them that it’s okay to be imperfect. This shift not only deepened my connections with them but also made me a more effective and compassionate therapist.

Unlearning the notion that vulnerability is a weakness has been transformative. It has allowed me to foster genuine, empathetic relationships and has reinforced the idea that we are all human, navigating life’s challenges together. Embracing vulnerability has become one of the most powerful tools in my practice, reminding me daily that it is through our shared experiences and openness that we find true strength and healing.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Absolutely. One of the most significant pivots in my life came at a point when everything I had worked for seemed to be crumbling around me. It was a time of intense professional and personal turmoil, and it ultimately reshaped my entire perspective on life and my career.

A few years ago, I was deeply entrenched in my work, running a successful practice and developing new programs for mental health and addiction recovery. My days were filled with back-to-back sessions, community outreach, and constant travel. I was on what felt like an unstoppable trajectory. However, in the midst of this whirlwind, I started noticing some troubling signs. I was constantly exhausted, my health was deteriorating, and I felt a growing sense of disconnection from my purpose.

Then, one day, everything came to a head. I collapsed in my office due to sheer exhaustion. The doctors told me that my relentless pace was taking a severe toll on my body, and I needed to make drastic changes if I wanted to continue my work and, more importantly, my life. This was a wake-up call like no other. Later, I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis.

Lying in that hospital bed, I had a lot of time to reflect. I realized that I had been so focused on helping others that I had completely neglected my own well-being. The irony was striking – I was advocating for mental and physical health but was not practicing what I preached. This was the moment I knew I had to pivot, not just for myself, but for the integrity of my work and the people I was helping.

I made the difficult decision to scale back my practice temporarily and step away from some of my projects. This was not an easy choice, as I had poured my heart and soul into building them. But I knew it was necessary. I took this time to focus on my health, reconnect with my faith, and rediscover my purpose. I started incorporating more balance into my life, finding time for rest, reflection, and self-care.

During this period, I also discovered new passions. I began exploring extreme sports like skydiving and hang gliding, activities that not only exhilarated me but also taught me invaluable lessons about courage, resilience, and living in the moment. These experiences reinvigorated my spirit and gave me a fresh perspective on my work.

When I returned to my practice, I did so with a renewed sense of purpose and a healthier approach. I integrated more holistic and balanced strategies into my programs, emphasizing the importance of self-care and resilience alongside therapy and recovery. This pivot not only transformed my personal life but also profoundly impacted my professional approach, making my work more effective and authentic.

This experience taught me that sometimes, the most important pivots are those that force us to step back, reassess, and realign with our true selves. It’s in these moments of vulnerability and change that we find our greatest strength and clarity. My pivot was a turning point that reaffirmed my commitment to helping others while also taking care of myself, and it’s a lesson I carry with me every day.

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Image Credits

Selena Smith
West TN Skydiving
Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding
NYC City Climb