Lindsey Smith

I became a therapist because I kept seeing people get stuck in the same loops—replaying old patterns, carrying trauma they didn't have words for, or feeling anxious in ways that made perfect sense once we understood what was underneath it. I wanted to help people actually move through that, not just manage it. I work primarily with teens (16+), young adults, and adults in North Carolina who are navigating anxiety, processing trauma, figuring out who they are after major shifts, or noticing the same relationship dynamics showing up again and again. A lot of my clients are in their late teens through thirties, dealing with the specific pressures of that stage—identity questions, first serious relationships, family-of-origin stuff surfacing, or just the weight of trying to build a life that feels authentic. I specialize in EMDR for trauma processing, which can be surprisingly effective for experiences that talk therapy alone hasn't resolved. I also work with anxiety regulation, identity exploration (especially around life transitions, sexuality, or shifting values), and understanding relationship patterns that feel automatic or stuck. I pull from cognitive-behavioral, somatic, relational, and trauma-focused approaches, but I'm not interested in cookie-cutter therapy. Sessions are tailored to what actually fits for you. My approach is collaborative and grounded. I'm direct when it's helpful, but this is your process—I'm here to help you make sense of what's happening and find what works, not to tell you how to live your life. If you're looking for someone who takes trauma seriously, understands that anxiety usually has roots, and believes you're capable of real change, let's talk.