Dr. Dorothy Smith, DPC, LCSW

06/28/2025

📝 Today in session:

We were working with a young client navigating big feelings, including urges to self-harm, which she calls her “green” moments.

We used EFT tapping to help her ride out those urges safely, and we talked about how anger is a normal feeling — not something to fear or be ashamed of.

And we did it all while bumping her safe music: Lil Baby. 🎶

Because culturally competent therapy isn’t just knowing the research—it’s sitting with someone in their world, respecting their language, their music, their feelings, and helping them feel seen and safe.

Mental health work can look like tapping, drawing, and yes, vibing to Lil Baby.

That’s healing too. ❤️

03/18/2025

🔥 Let’s Talk About Men & Panic Attacks 🔥

Men struggle with panic attacks more often than they’ll ever say out loud. The racing heart. The sweaty palms. That terrifying feeling like the world’s closing in. And most of the time? You’d never even know.

Why? Because society taught them to “man up” instead of “speak up.” 💔

But here’s the truth: Panic attacks don’t make anyone weak. They mean the nervous system is screaming “danger”—even when there’s none. It’s not weakness. It’s being human.

Here’s how we can help the men we love:
✅ Listen — No fixing, no judging. Just listen.
✅ Remind him — Panic is intense but temporary. It ends. Every time.
✅ Normalize it — Panic attacks don’t define his strength.
✅ Encourage movement — Walk, bike, stretch… get the body involved.
✅ Help him build grounding tools — Breathing, cold water, music, whatever helps him anchor.
✅ Check in later — Not just during. A simple “How’s your head today?” goes further than you think.

💪 Men deserve safe spaces too. Panic doesn’t define them—support does. 💪

And if no one’s said it to you yet, here it is:
"I am not my panic. I am a man learning to breathe through the storm—and every breath proves my strength."

You’ve got this. You’re not alone. Let’s show up for each other.

05/13/2024

Therapists: I only saw 30 clients last week and helped people with childhood trauma, safety planning for IPV and SI, unexpected layoffs, infidelity, financial and housing insecurity, breakups, miscarriages, and unexpected cancer diagnosis.

04/25/2024

I remember thinking to myself that I should stay in a verbally abusive, manipulative, relationship because no one would be able to "put up with" how anxious I get.
No one else would stick around when I was depressed.
No one else would understand how difficult it is for me to go to places.

So I stayed because even though it wasn't GOOD love, it was some type of love and that was more than I thought I was worth.

Having a mental illness is HARD. Having a mental illness in a relationship is also hard. It takes a lot of work to regulate your emotions and behaviors, for some of us - it takes a lot of work to get to a place where our mental health isn't harmful to the people around us.
But it does not decrease your worth or your value.
It does not mean that you should be happy with the scraps that you get from relationships that aren't nourishing or are harmful.
You are worth more.
And yeah, sometimes it's not the time to be in a relationship because you're working through stuff and recovery is hard and learning coping skills is hard but that still does not decrease your value.
You deserve happy and healthy relationships just as much as anyone who is "normal".

03/14/2024

11/05/2023

Join us at "Canvas and Connections" - Where art meets friendship!
🎨 Date: Friday, November 17th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: The Synergy Link, 135 Bounds Street, Jackson, Mississippi
Looking for a safe space for teens to express themselves through art and discuss topics relevant to their age? Look no further!
Hosted by Heal Thy Self Counseling Services, this event is the perfect blend of creativity and camaraderie. 🤝
Admission is just $15 per person (for non-clients). RSVP now by calling 601-521-0213 and secure your spot in this unforgettable evening of painting and meaningful conversations. 🌟
Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect, create, and grow with us. See you there! 🎉