FAQs

Who?

Any therapy service will be with myself, Shakira Smith, PhD.

Q: Who are you as a therapist and what does it feel like to be in the room with you?

As a therapist I am often working to queer, question, and to share power with clients through story and transparency. In practice that means, when working with clients, we are reframing experience through a queer lens… and often the process of that entails much questioning: Where did I learn this? How does my family’s experience of oppression trauma become my orientation to the world? What power dynamics are playing out here? Is this norm centered in cisheteropatriarchy and do I want to carry that burden any longer?
In process, I am very invested in showing up in the therapist role as my authentic self and sharing any knowledges - academic and otherwise - that will support a client in and out of the room… Pragmatically, that means that I tend to share story that feels relevant to a client’s experience; sometimes my own story, sometimes not. This is a practice of weaving connection through all of our experiences - to feel less alone in them, yes, but also to take wisdom for healing from all its forms.
It also means that I tend to explain my “interventions”. Before I ask a question or pose a challenge or begin an exercise, most of the time I’m going to explain where I learned it and what the intention of this action is. I firmly believe that we can make best use of our tools when we understand where they come from and how to maintenance (and adapt them). And also that this effort allows folks to take information and skills to share back with their community.

Q: Who do you enjoy working with?
Anyone who feels they exist at the margins of our society. Often that’s queer folks and POC, and I have a special place in my heart and practice for sex workers.
I’m also exploring how my own spiritual practices and intuitive gifts can have space in my professional work. That said, I would love to see more astrology nerds, witches, and other folks who are interested in integrating divination, ritual, and archetypal work into their healing.

Q: Who are you outside of the therapy room?
Literally the same person I am in the therapy room. Authenticity is very important to me and I often get feedback in professional spaces that people experience me as “real”, down to earth, etc… Tbh I just don’t have (and have never had) the extra spoons to pretend and I take great care to ensure others feel they can do the same in space and relationship with me. That all said, Im very much someone who is oriented to tending my relationships, building community, and allowing myself and others to exist as they are… I’m often thinking through the ethic of “Everybody Eats”, meaning there is enough abundance for everyone to feel cared for, loved, and have more than their basic needs; and thus, where can I stretch my comfort or utilize my capitals to widen the umbrella of care?

What?

Individual therapy sessions:

One-on-one sessions where we can collaborate to address your priority needs. We’ll explore what has caused your distress, as well as where the problems are rooted, be it generational patterns, system-imposed norms or trauma, etc. We’ll put language to what exactly you want to let go of and what exactly you want to step into to be your most authentic self. In this space, you’re welcome to practice new relational skills and explore any ways of being that provide euphoria (gender or otherwise). I commit to being a present, reflective listener, non-judgmental, and to model components of healthy connection.

When?

I am available to see clients for therapy sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Where?

My practice is 100% telehealth.

I am licensed to practice by the state of Texas, where I am based. Through PSYPACT, I am also permitted to practice with clients who reside in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CO, CNMI, CT, DE, DC, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NV, NH, NJ, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV. WI, & WY.

All potential therapy seekers (aka you) must be physically located in one of these states.

How much?

Individual counseling is $220/session. A sliding scale rate of $180/session is available to clients participating in Loveland’s voucher program (see additional info below).

Individual therapy sessions are 45 minutes in duration.

Please note that I do not accept insurance, though I am happy to provide the documentation needed for you to utilize your out-of-network insurance benefits.

Please also note that I do not accept Loveland vouchers as direct payment. Clients wishing to utilize Loveland vouchers will be need to pay directly for services — $180/session, and then seek personal reimbursement through Loveland — $120/session. (This is effectively a $60/session sliding scale cost for Loveland participants). Please contact Loveland’s support team for questions on client reimbursement of fees.

How often?

I am currently accepting clients for weekly and biweekly services. I do not accept clients seeking to meet monthly, though sometimes clients transition to monthly sessions as they prepare for termination of services. Its typical for folks to continue therapy for 3 months to a year before taking a break, but there are certainly exceptions to that estimate.