Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica LeAnn Smith.
Hi Jessica LeAnn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Definitely! First and foremost, having a group practice was something I had yet to dream of doing. It wasn’t a desire that I had a kid or anything like that. Instead, my practice at Smith Behavioral Health and Wellness came from many pivots I have had to take. In 2018 I was working for a practice, and things were changing. We were encouraged to move from working in practice to working at a local school the practice had previously worked with. I made that leap, but it took me out of direct care and put me more in an administrative role where I didn’t see clients. Working with clients at that time was truly where my heart was, and I knew I needed to continue to do that on some level.
Also, in 2017 my first niece Grace was born. My sister and brother-in-law live in my home state of Kentucky. She was a lot of first for my family, and I wanted the freedom to see her when I wanted. Things were starting to happen that made me think about what I wanted and needed to be in the places I wanted to be. The final straw for me was when a friend and I happened to be off work on a Monday, and we decided to go to breakfast at a popular spot downtown. It was a Monday, and we thought the crowd would be alright. We walked in and saw the place was packed, and there was an hour-long wait. I remember asking my friend what he thought all of these people did for a living. It was a Monday, and they casually drank their coffee, talked with friends, and traveled (we saw their suitcases beside their tables). I said to myself that day, “I have to do something different. I want freedom, and I want to see clients.” That is when the idea of Smith Behavioral Health and Wellness was born. I believed I could make it happen because other people were doing it. There would be some work involved to get it off the ground, but I was dedicated to my why, and that gave me all of the motivation and energy I needed.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Certainly not. I went to school and graduated school to learn to be a therapist. I didn’t learn how to be an entrepreneur. I had to learn that along the way. I was the therapist with my clients. Behind the scenes, I was the administrator, the marketing team, the community outreach person, and many other things. There were and still are a lot of things to learn. Some things I had to learn the hard way, like taxes and what write-offs are, what I could actually write off, and what I needed to save for taxes. I also learned that I needed to pay people to do what they specialize in. I don’t specialize in billing insurance. I don’t know the ins and outs of deductibles and insurance, but some people specialize in it and know exactly what they are doing. It makes the most sense to give those tasks to people who know.
The biggest struggle was being a one-person band and learning everything as I also tried to give exceptional care to clients. I had to hire people to do what they love doing so I could do what I love and do it well. After starting the business in September 2018 and working it solo through the pandemic, I also realized that I wanted to do this work with other people. Working in private practice felt isolating, and I had never worked in that environment. Clients were reaching out via the website, and I had to refer them out because I needed more space. Again things were lining up to show me I needed to bring another therapist on board. In September 2020, Smith Behavioral Health and Wellness group practice started its formation.
We’ve been impressed with Smith Behavioral Health and Wellness LLC, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Smith Behavioral Health and Wellness is a group therapy practice specializing in holistic therapy and practices (but not limited to those practices) to help clients work through mental health/behavioral health symptoms. Our physical office is located in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. We are a group practice of five, and we have two practicum students with us for the ’23 Spring Semester. Many of us are dual-licensed or are working to be licensed in another state. We also see clients in the state of Kentucky. Clinicians at SmithBHW have a range of specialties ranging from trauma treatments to depression, anxiety, grief, normal adjustment, stress, and self-discovery. We practice from a trauma-informed perspective recognizing that everyone we encounter has experienced some trauma that has contributed to their human experience.
We are an LGBTQIA+-friendly practice and allies and advocates for the community. What sets SmithBHW apart from others is our holistic approach. We want clients to be healthy and stay healthy, so teaching them skills they always have access to is our goal. Also, what sets us apart is we are a practice color. All our clinicians are of color and come with different backgrounds that help us collectively collaborate on how to serve populations who have not had access to therapy or where the stigma is so great that it is not considered. As the owner, I love that we represent a safe space for all clients who have not been comfortable seeing a therapist. For our clients of color, we represent therapists of color who are doing therapy that can help with de-stigmatization. We are clinicians of color, and we see everyone! We offer individual, couples, and family therapy. This year we will also be adding group therapy. I am proud of creating a meaningful and purposeful business and working with clinicians who use their flair, skills, and knowledge to do incredible work.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero got me here. Sincero’s book made me think about life differently and how I wanted to start living it. It started the thoughts about taking the leap and doing things on my terms. It shaped the tagline for the business, Be Well. Be Happy. Love Yourself. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown has helped me tremendously as an entrepreneur and a therapist. There is a lot of learning to be done when you are venturing into something new, and you aren’t always going to get it right, which can make us feel vulnerable and ashamed. We only figure it out if we try. Daring Greatly was super helpful in dealing with that vulnerability and shame. Do It Scared with Ruth Soukup was a great podcast on doing things even though they terrify you. That has been helpful.
Pricing:
- Individual Session- $120
- Couples Counseling- $140
- Group Counseling- $60
Contact Info:
- Website: www.smithbhw.com
- Instagram: smithbehavioralhealth
- Facebook: Smith Behavioral Health and Wellness LLC
- Linkedin: Jessica Smith
Image Credits
Chanitra Dreher Photography and JAO Photography
