Meet Sarah Claire Smith | Trauma Therapist, Wellness Coach & Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Claire Smith | Trauma Therapist, Wellness Coach & Advocate and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

The idea of owning my own business and starting my own private practice has always been a dream. I had worked at several treatment/recovery facilities and this was an invaluable education for me as a therapist (and as a human) but the idea of setting my own schedule, creating my own culture, and treating clients that fit my niche and passion was very enticing. After working in addiction treatment for several years and experiencing the limits in those environments and burnout that is inevitable, I made the leap. I opened my own practice. I had a few friends and colleagues who had done this before me so their example was a support and inspiration. The unknown was real but I had to trust my own instinct, the brand I knew I could create, and the reputation I had built till this point.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My work could fall under the category of health care, wellness, or helping profession. I was not sure what category my work fits in… So I chose the Artist/ Creative category and I will tell you why…

I am a therapist by trade. A licensed mental health counselor. A certified life coach. But more truthfully, I am an artist. I see my work as art. Vincent Van Gogh once penned ” I feel there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” I am in the business of loving.

My version of this look like creating space to listen deeply to the humans that I have the privilege to sit with in sessions. I listen through the words they share to the pain, wounds, hopes, dreams, blocks, and systems of their lives. I am a clinician, so much of what I do is based in science and research but the act of listening is an art. The act of creating a relationship and offering ideas, wisdom, challenge, and modalities that will help guide and walk with someone towards healing and freedom is an art. The lens I look through with each client is a trauma- informed one. I am EMDR trained and I use modalities that orient the client to explore (with curiosity and compassion) how their past wounds have led them to stay safe, avoid pain, and get their needs met. We look at how our coping mechanisms are rooted in childhood (and usually trauma) and how to heal and become empowered to lead from love and not from fear, shame, or pain.

I also have the gift of leading from these values with a church community called ProvidenciaWPB. I lead a soul care ministry there that invites our congregation and city to understand their story, build a compassionate and curious spiritual community, and heal from spiritual or religious wounding and toxic beliefs.

My journey here began way before I went to school to become a counselor. I have always been a very curious, spiritual, and social human. I love people, stories, new ideas, and avenues that may lead us individually and collectively to health and flourishing.  Being a counselor is a second career for me that I began when I was 30! I have my bachelors of fine arts in Musical Theatre from Florida State University and I spent my adolescence and my entire 20’s working as a performer. I told stories from stages all across the nation to those sitting in the audience. Now I listen to stories and help people make sense of them and turn towards themselves with curiosity and compassion. The craft of telling stories through acting, singing, and dancing cultivated empathy and curiosity in me and it felt seamless to transition to work as a therapist.

I am an enneagram 7 ( if that means anything to you) and this means I am an enthusiast. I get excited easily about ideas and experiences. This also means I traditionally resent and avoid pain and discomfort.
I truly believe in the first half of my life I thought I could hack being a human. I could find the magic formula, idea, practice, correct thought, and behavior to avoid being in pain and then I could share it with the world and we would all be happy and whole. Well…. as you know that’s an adorable and admirable ideal but it’s just not realistic. I now know that pain and discomfort are a part of life. I have come to see that the things we can learn to avoid and work our way out of is suffering.

My hope is that the space I create, the ideas and wisdom I offer, the modalities and practices I use would empower my clients and following to reduce the suffering in their life and embrace their human experience/emotions/ and lead them towards healthier relationships, bodies, careers, families, and spiritual lives.

I feel quite passionate about removing the stigma around therapy. To put it plainly, it is a toxic stigma and is keeping people sick and suffering. The therapy space is something everyone deserves and even need at different times of life and it can save lives, families, and relationships. I am a therapist who sees a therapist and I hope to lead by example and continue to work to remove any barrier that holds people back from receiving mental, emotional, and spiritual health care.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I moved to West Palm Beach from New York City. I loved the city and all the culture, art, and diversity it offers but something about the east coast ocean views called to me. Any ocean activity would be first on our list. I also love being around art, music, and people so we would venture downtown or hop the Brightline to Miami! I love supporting local businesses so Aioli on Dixie would also be a stop for a sweet treat and thoughtful meal! I also have the most incredible community of humans here so we would most definitely find time to hang out together sharing laughs, stories, and ideas.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
BRENE BROWN- Her work was the spark that ignited the flame of my work and inspired me to start a 2nd career and business and she continues to lead me by example, research, and style.

ProvidenciaWPB- My spiritual community that inspires me and has held my heart, championed my leadership, and empowered me to dream and create what the world needs more of…compassionate spaces.

Richard Rohr- His insights on spirituality and healing have transformed my mind and life.

My community/friends/family- They are my mirrors, champions, cheerleaders and partners in this work.

My husband/partner- His belief in me and willingness to do the work with me has been a soft place for me to land and a fire within me.

Website: https://www.sarahclairecounseling.com/

Instagram: @sc_counseling_

Image Credits
Photos by Jen Talesmen @softpoem & Anna Mucci @annamucciphoto