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Therapists answer…

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

Darcy CahillD

Darcy Cahill

LCSW
Online TherapyAccepting New Clients
What inspired you to become a therapist, and what keeps you motivated?
I was inspired to become a therapist by my own experiences in therapy — both the helpful and the not-so-helpful ones — as well as my own healing and transformation through difficult seasons in early adulthood. I've also always been drawn to people and their stories; I've been a voracious reader of novels for as long as I can remember, and that same curiosity about human nature, potential, and the beauty and pain of relationships carried me toward this work. What keeps me motivated is simple: I genuinely love what I do, and I care deeply for my clients. This work energizes me rather than drains me; most days, it barely feels like a job.
Hi, I'm Darcy Cahill, LCSW. I approach therapy through a deeply relational lens — my work is grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Hakomi's core tenet of loving presence, which means showing up for my clients with real attunement, not just technique. Self-compassion is at the heart of how I practice; I believe lasting change happens when we can finally turn toward ourselves with the same kindness we so easily offer others. I'm especially passionate about the transitional seasons of a woman's life — the biopsychosocial-spiritual shifts of new motherhood, perimenopause, and everything in between — as well as couples work, burnout in motherhood, and the family dynamics that show up around addiction and codependency. As a mother of two young children myself, I understand these transitions from the inside, not just from a clinical perpective. My own journey of healing and transformation is part of why I do this work — I've seen firsthand what's possible on the other side of struggle, and I bring that sense of possibility into the room with every client. More than anything, I love being a therapist. I'm a lifelong learner, always in training, reading, and deepening my own understanding. What clients often tell me sets me apart is that I really get them — they can tell me anything without judgment, and they feel genuinely connected to and seen by me.
Jasmin McCullumJ

Jasmin McCullum

Counseling Clinical Intern
Online & In-PersonAccepting New Clients
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I’ve always been drawn to helping people feel heard, understood, and supported during difficult moments in their lives. I’ve seen how powerful it can be when someone has a safe space to openly process their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment. That ability to help others heal, grow, and recognize their own strengths is what inspired me to pursue counseling. Witnessing the progress clients make in gaining confidence, learning healthier coping skills, and improving their relationships keeps me motivated.
Hello, my name is Jasmin, I am a graduate student from Houston Christian University pursuing my master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am passionate about creating a supportive, encouraging, and nonjudgmental environment for clients. I strive to help individuals who are looking to conquer and manage anxiety, depression, and sports performance anxiety, and I strive to help clients build confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and navigate life’s challenges with resilience. My counseling approach is grounded in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I believe in helping clients recognize their strengths, identify practical solutions, and challenge negative thought patterns that may be impacting their emotional well-being or performance. My goal is to collaborate with clients in a way that empowers them to make meaningful progress toward their personal, academic, athletic, and emotional goals. As a former athlete and coach, I understand the pressures that can come with performance expectations, stress, and balancing responsibilities. I am committed to helping clients feel heard, supported, and motivated throughout their counseling journey.
Johnita McGee SmithJ

Johnita McGee Smith

CEO
Online & In-PersonAccepting New Clients
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
Why I Became a Therapist I became a therapist because I’ve always believed in the power of listening and the dignity of every person’s story. My early work with people experiencing homelessness, incarceration, and trauma showed me how deeply unmet mental health needs can impact individuals and families — and how transformative compassionate, accessible care can be. Those experiences ignited my calling to walk alongside others as they heal, grow, and reclaim their lives. What Motivates Me to Continue What keeps me going is witnessing change — even small breakthroughs — in the lives of my clients. It’s seeing a teenager find their voice again, a parent rediscover hope, or a family rebuild connection. My Christian faith also motivates me; I see my work as a ministry of service, offering evidence-based care infused with grace, empathy, and respect. Every session reminds me why I chose this path: because healing is possible, because people are resilient, and because everyone deserves a safe space where they are seen, heard, and supported.
Johnita McGee-Smith, MSW, LISW (Ohio), LCSW (Virginia), is a licensed clinical social worker, Christian counselor, and founder of Grace to Grace Behavioral Health. She provides trauma-informed, faith-integrated, and evidence-based care across Ohio and Virginia, helping individuals, couples, and families find healing and resilience.
Joseph LobueJ

Joseph Lobue

Licened Professional Counselor
Online & In-PersonAccepting New Clients
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because I have always been driven to understand the "why" behind human behavior and the patterns that shape our lives. Having worked at every level of mental health intervention—from intense, life-and-death situations in hospital and community settings to long-term maintenance counseling—I have seen firsthand the incredible resilience of the human spirit. What motivates me to continue is the privilege of helping clients gain deep insight into their own life patterns. There is nothing more rewarding than the moment a client identifies the best way to move from "stuck" to a life that is truly functional and satisfying. My motivation is fueled by the balance of my approach: I enjoy the intellectual work of psychodynamic counseling to uncover the root of a challenge, paired with the immediate, life-changing impact of teaching DBT skills. Seeing a client build the confidence to handle life's ups and downs on their own terms is what keeps me energized in this work every day.
I have worked at every level of intervention in mental health. From ongoing, maintenance counseling to helping people struggling with life and death in the community and in the hospital settings. I use person-centered counseling, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and psychodynamic counseling modalities. Sometimes, I use them individually but mostly I use a balance of all three modalities. I enjoy helping clients gain insight into their life, their life patterns and to identify the best ways for the client to create a more functional and satisfying life.
Kaileen RussellK

Kaileen Russell

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Online TherapyAccepting New Clients
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
Growing up both of my parents worked in human services. I was consistently offered knowledge and information about working with various groups, their needs, and the overall need for support within the community. I learned about working with the developmentally disabled, children, elders, and those struggling with mental health concerns all before exploring work with each population myself. This afforded me the opportunity to develop insight and empathy on topics many of my peers may not yet have been exposed to at a young age and fueled my curiosity to learn and understand more. I was therefore fortunate to know the path I wanted to take early on in life and moved toward my goal of becoming a therapist. I continue to find myself intrigued, interested, and motivated in my work to understand, learn, and aid others. I consider it an honor to be invited in to each individual, couple, and family's story so that I may either be a present witness to their emotions, offer a place of comfort for their pain, support their growth, and celebrate their accomplishments.
There is a sentiment that was brought to popularity over the last two years: We are all weathering this storm but are not in the same boat. I have spent a lot of time contemplating this concept. One of the interpretations that sticks with me is that we are all human learning to navigate this life but often impacted by different things in different ways. Some people have yachts while others have canoes, some find themselves being tussled in the ocean while others are blessed to gleam across a lake, and some are fortunate to have life jackets while others have felt they had to learn to float alone. No matter each person’s, couple’s, or family’s circumstances we are all trying to navigate through life. Therapy is a safe and private space that I can hold for you where I may aid you in locating a life jacket, developing a crew, patch your boat, and learn to navigate the waters. Whether you find yourself in tousled waters or navigating a new path I would be pleased to work with you. I have enjoyed working with individuals, couples, and families of all different needs for years.