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

Minnina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Can you recount a time when the advice you provided to a client was really spot on? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever given to a client, and I have given this often but it came from my belief in allowing space for healing, no matter how long it takes. I told them, “Take your time; I’m right here to walk with you through this journey.” Grief is such a personal experience, and sometimes, there are no words that can ease the pain.

There was a moment with one client where they were overwhelmed with sorrow, and the pain seemed unbearable. They didn’t have the energy or the words to express what they were feeling, and all they could do was cry. In that moment, I reminded them that it was okay to cry — that they were in a safe space, and there was no need to hold back. I stayed present with them, offering a nonjudgmental space, where their emotions were allowed to flow freely.

Crying is a powerful and therapeutic release. It allows the body and soul to process what words cannot express. By giving my client permission to simply cry, I saw them begin to release some of that heaviness they had been carrying. It wasn’t about fixing the grief in that moment; it was about acknowledging the pain and showing them that healing doesn’t always need words. Sometimes, just being seen and heard in your pain is the first step toward recovery.

The result? They left that session feeling lighter, more open, and a little more at peace with where they were on their healing journey. It’s a reminder to me that sometimes the best thing you can offer a grieving person is presence and patience. Healing doesn’t have a timeline, and that’s okay.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Minnina Smith, a Grief Coach, Purpose Development Coach, Mentor in my spare time and dedicated advocate for individuals, couples, and families navigating life’s most challenging transitions. My journey into this field is deeply rooted in my own experiences—having lost both of my parents, I understand firsthand the heavy burden grief can impose. Additionally, as a military veteran, having served 12 1/2 years in the Army, I’ve witnessed profound loss and sacrifice. This experience has deeply shaped my empathy and strengthened my ability to connect with those facing significant grief, trauma, and life-altering challenges.

I got into this industry because of my desire to help others find hope and healing after devastating experiences. While grieving, I realized that there are moments when words just don’t do justice to the pain we experience. I wanted to create a space where people can feel safe to process their emotions without judgment or pressure. I started my coaching practice, That Dose of Encouragement, to offer guidance rooted in compassion and understanding.

Through my coaching services, I provide Grief Coaching and Purpose Development Coaching, both of which are designed to help individuals and families rediscover their strength and clarity in times of loss or change. My approach is holistic, meaning the whole person (mind, body & spirit = soul care), recognizing the deep connection between our emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. I offer one-on-one coaching to individuals, couples counseling for those navigating grief together, and family coaching to help families cope with the collective impact of loss. My goal is to help my clients process grief at their own pace, while also encouraging them to identify their life’s deeper purpose and passion after loss.

What sets me apart is my holistic approach to grief and purpose development, grounded in faith based principles. I deeply believe that our faith can serve as an anchor during turbulent times. I integrate faith-based guidance with practical tools, ensuring clients not only heal but also grow in their understanding of themselves and their life’s calling. My background in systemic family dynamics also allows me to address the complexities that loss can bring to relationships, helping families and couples heal together.

I’m most proud of the transformations I’ve witnessed in my clients & mentee’s. Seeing someone go from feeling hopeless and stuck in their grief to rediscovering their purpose and living with intention is truly fulfilling. I’m also proud of creating a space where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported no matter where they are in their healing journey.

For those who are considering working with me, I want you to know that healing is a journey, and it looks different for everyone. Whether you’re navigating grief, transitioning through a life change, or searching for purpose, I am here to walk alongside you, at your own pace. I’m committed to providing you with a safe, non-judgmental space to process, heal, and grow. My mission is to empower you to not only get through your struggles but to thrive in spite of them, discovering your unique purpose along the way.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the stories I’ve been reflecting on as I completed my second book, Grief Looked Like Me: A Daughter’s Journey Through the Loss of Both Parents, is the profound journey of resilience I experienced after losing my mother at the age of 17. That loss was incredibly difficult, and for a long time, I didn’t even realize that I needed healing in areas that were deeply affected by her passing. The pain I carried manifested in unhealthy ways, including depression, and I didn’t know how to cope.

Over time, though, I found hope. I was introduced to God and eventually gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, which carried me through some of the roughest years. My faith became a foundation of strength, but I didn’t know the full extent of what I still needed to heal until my father passed away in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Losing him sent me on yet another journey of healing, reopening the wounds from my mother’s passing, but this time, I was grieving the loss of both parents.

Mentally and emotionally, it was a difficult experience to navigate. The weight of losing both parents was overwhelming. If it weren’t for my unwavering faith in God, the support of my family, and the therapy I sought during those times, I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through that kind of pain and loss. The resilience I’ve developed from these experiences has been a combination of faith, support, and personal growth, and it’s what fuels my passion today to help others find healing in the midst of their own grief.

Through this journey, I’ve learned that resilience is not about being unaffected by pain, but about finding the strength to face it and grow through it, even when it feels impossible.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that it wasn’t okay to talk about the difficult things we face in life. Growing up, I wasn’t raised with the example of communicating emotions in a healthy way during tough times. Our household was filled with happiness, laughter, and good times, but when something hard happened, we didn’t talk about it. We just carried on, moving forward without addressing the pain.

As I grew older, became more self-aware, and educated myself on effective communication, I learned that it’s actually healthy to talk about the challenges and pain we go through. I had to unlearn the belief that silence was the best way to handle hardship. This realization led me to become a grief coach, and it also fueled my decision to pursue a dual degree to become a licensed clinical therapist or counselor. I want to help others unlearn the same lesson I did—helping them express their pain in a safe and healing way. I believe that through open communication, we can truly begin to heal and grow, and that’s why I’m passionate about supporting others on that journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thatdoseofencouragement.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minninasmith/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minninasmith/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minnina-smith/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromGriefToPurpose/videos