What should you expect? Nothing but top-notch professional service! What should you accept? Nothing but top-notch professional service!-Dr. Debra Taylor-Smith, MFT-S, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, EMDR Trained Therapist by EMDRIA Approved Supervisor
Relationship/Couple's/Marriage Counseling
EMPOWERING! RELATIONSHIPS
Perhaps infidelity, loss of trust, or even loss of communication has entered your relationship. Maybe you feel a sense of hopelessness and a loss of love and intimacy toward the person you fell in love with "back in the day". Relationship Counseling provides an emotional "safe" place for the couple to discuss hurt, pain, shame, and frustrations where each person's voice is heard in a nonjudgmental, non-pathological setting. The goals of therapy are not to return to the way it used to be, but to develop new desires and ways to relate to each other to keep the fire burning, or perhaps re-ignite the match to get the fire burning again! Dr. Debra specializes in working with high-conflict couples and law enforcement relationships. The goal is to help each couple identify the missing pieces and rebuild the relationship that both partners desire. Designing a different relationship with purpose.
Individual Psychotherapy
EMPOWERING! MEN & WOMEN
Individual Counseling allows the client to discover lost or forgotten strengths clouded by grief, loss, anger, depression, or spiritual disconnections. For individuals seeking therapy, I actively listen to your story and focus on solutions to the problems that keep you from achieving true happiness. I believe we all have core strengths and values that shape who we are. Recalling past and present moments when the problem did not seem as significant can lead to insights into what's working well in your life. If it's working well, do more of it! If not, let's try something different! Being alone doesn't necessarily imply you are alone.
Family Counseling
EMPOWERING! FAMILIES
The family consists of numerous faces, meanings, and layers. Family counseling may include parents, step-parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents raising grandchildren, same-gender parenting, blended families, single household parenting, adopted children, foster care families, interracial families, and numerous more! Regardless of your family's genetic makeup, my passion remains the same: focusing on the exceptions to the problems and issues that brought you and your family into therapy. No topics are too small. No problem is too significant. When you think about it, all we have is family.
TYPES OF THERAPY
Talk Therapy (Psychotherapy) Using knowledge of human development and behavior, the provider will discuss the problem, suggest alternative approaches to address the challenges, and aim to effect change. The provider's primary therapy method is Solution-Focused Narrative Therapy (SNFT). However, other methods may be used if deemed more appropriate. Participation in treatment is voluntary; you may withdraw at any time. The hope is that you will achieve your goals, in whole or in part. You and the Provider will work together to help you achieve your goals.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a therapy approach that helps people heal from complicated or overwhelming experiences that still affect them today.
Why EMDR Is Used
Sometimes, when something stressful or traumatic happens, the brain may not fully process the event. Instead, the memory can stay “stuck”—meaning you might still feel the emotions, body sensations, or beliefs connected to the original experience as if it’s happening now.
Examples:
- Feeling anxious or on edge for no apparent reason
- Having strong emotional reactions that feel out of your control
- Feeling “triggered” by things that remind you of the past
- Noticing negative beliefs about yourself (“I’m not safe,” “I’m not good enough,” “It was my fault”)
EMDR helps the brain complete the healing process, so those memories no longer carry the same emotional charge.
Tele-Therapy
Sessions are confidential and HIPAA-compliant. Tele-Therapy is available for Texas residents anywhere. The sessions are scheduled via the client portal or by contacting the therapist directly. Once scheduled, we will discuss if Tele-Therapy is a good fit for you. Teletherapy is convenient and can easily fit into your busy schedule. Please note restrictions apply.
The Counselor's Counselor
Leaders who help and are expected to give words of encouragement and healing to those in our society often place the needs of others well above their own concerns. No matter your title, in a highly respected position, when you have given so much of yourself, who do you talk to? Where do you go for support and a listening ear? Do you internalize those worries and anxieties, opting instead to cope in silence for fear of what others may think? After all, you are in a leadership role where others depend on you for comfort, wisdom, guidance, and hope. We each need a "safe place" to discuss fears, worries, uncertainty, and disappointments, without feeling judged, criticized, or ashamed. We need a place to feel the power of "unmasking." A place to be as honest and emotionally freeing as possible. Ultimately, once you, the counselor, spiritual advisor, mentor, caregiver, or CEO, are taking care of your needs, it becomes easier, lighter, and more pleasurable to minister effectively to the needs of your clients, audience members, congregation, coworkers, or colleagues.
New Business Consultant
Transitioning to entrepreneurship can elicit feelings of doubt, fear, and uncertainty. It is common to have questions about whether this is the right step for you at this stage of your life. If so, what is the next step? From forms and space rentals to insurance panel development to self-pay options to designing an office atmosphere that is warm and inviting for your clients, your mind may be occupied with many business questions and concerns. Contact me today and schedule an appointment to discuss your thoughts, feelings, questions, and concerns, whether you are contemplating owning your own counseling business now or later. It's never too early or too late for business consulting. Our time together is tailored specifically to what's most important for you.
Public Speaking Engagements/Presentations
I am excited to speak or present at your local, state, or national event. Whether the topic is empowering women, finding steps to work toward a loving/take relationship, or presenting counseling solutions to law enforcement officers, teenagers, or your church group, I would love to hear from you to discuss your needs.
To book Dr. Debra for public speaking engagements or presentations, please get in touch with John Smith at (817) 994-2694.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Business
Affirmative Therapy practice