Listed in the Psychology for Black Girls directory of vetted Black mental health clinicians.
You may be the person everyone depends on—the one who keeps going, holds things together, and rarely has room to fall apart. But you deserve support, too. Therapy can be a space where you put down some of that weight and explore what you need. I’m Elaine Smith, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the owner of CJL Counseling Services LLC, also known as Adult and Child Trauma Services (ACTS Care). I work with Black women and girls navigating trauma, anxiety, grief, relationship concerns, and life transitions. I have a particular interest in intergenerational trauma and how family experiences, cultural expectations, and messages about strength can influence how we see ourselves and relate to others. My approach is culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and collaborative. I make room for your lived experiences, your values, and your understanding of healing. Together, we can explore patterns that no longer serve you, develop ways to manage overwhelming emotions, strengthen boundaries, and build more compassionate relationships with yourself and others. As a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision, my research focuses on intergenerational trauma and Black…