Tahaji Smith, LCSW

Tahaji Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Master of Social Work graduate who chose to change careers to focus on helping others five years ago. She brings more than 20 years of public service experience to her clinical work, including 17 years serving as a 911 call taker and dispatcher for a major law enforcement agency. That background shaped her ability to remain calm in crisis and to support people facing intense stress and difficult life moments.

Her clinical experience centers on assisting people who are managing stress, anxiety, low motivation, and depression, as well as challenges with self-esteem, confidence, substance use, and crisis events. She also has experience addressing compassion fatigue and supporting those who work in helping professions. Tahaji combines practical skills with empathic presence to help clients explore their concerns and build coping strategies.

In sessions she collaborates closely with clients to create an open, nonjudgmental environment where thoughts and feelings can be explored safely. Tahaji views the decision to begin therapy as a courageous step and offers consistent support as clients work toward greater well-being and meaningful change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Tahaji frequently draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to guide her clinical work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed by them, and then focus on actions that reflect their values - it can be useful for anxiety, stress, and motivation concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy identifies unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaches practical skills to shift those patterns, which can help with depression, anxiety, and relationship challenges.

She approaches treatment collaboratively, recognizing that finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Tahaji works with each client to identify goals, preferences, and needs, and adjusts methods over time so that therapy fits the person rather than expecting the person to fit a single model.

Online therapy allows Tahaji to offer flexible care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier for clients to access support around work schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or geographic limitations, while maintaining continuity of care and progress toward their goals.