Abigail Smith Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit

Abigail Smith, Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit, P134333 is practicing under the supervision of Nayera Elsayed (New York, LMHC, 012378) at Humantold Psychotherapy.

Please, note: A clinician listed as being “clinically supervised” is completing clinical hours toward their licensure. They have one or more fully licensed clinical supervisors that often have special training. They consult with their supervisor(s) on all of their cases.

My path to becoming a therapist was not linear. I took a psychology class in high school where I fell in love with it; the idea of how extraordinary our brain is that it has the ability to protect us in ways that we may never imagine, but also sabotage us and all along the way we still have so many unanswered questions about it. Intersecting with my love for the brain is my fascination for human interaction and behavior, and from this, my love for psychology blossomed. However, I took the chemistry route into school to be a doctor and it wasn't until a year into college that I decided to change my major to psychology. I have always found myself to be empathetic and caring, especially to the individuals who do not have as much support as others, which I believe was my biggest motivator to becoming a counselor. What makes me passionate for this line of work is the support I have given my clients and how sometimes what somebody needs is just even one person cheering them on from the sidelines.

I bring myself to the session. This means I may stumble over my words, add humor in where appropriate (laughter is a great medicine!), show my personality, but in general, I am not going to be a robotic counselor who just sits, answers after you speak, and assign homework until next week. I believe the biggest factor in the therapeutic relationship, which is the basis of this work, is being your true self. It makes clients feel comfortable to be their true selves and to bring their true concerns to therapy. Plus, the relationship formed is what helps clients and their counselors dive into the deeper work of counseling, so without the me being my true self, the work would not get done and therefore, I would be doing a disservice to my clients.

Authenticity. I believe when someone is being their true selves, then the strongest working relationships form. Clients want to come talk to real human beings with personalities and set backs, not a robotized, mass-produced counselor who is not unique. Clients are smart and know when someone is trying to be something they are not, which is when hesitancy on their end comes up and they do not get what they fully deserve out of therapy because they do not feel comfortable diving deep into things with someone who is not fully being themselves. When a counselor is their true self, whatever that may be, then clients form a deep trust, can feel the counselor's empathy, and feel as though it is safe for them, too, to be authentic and bring their true selves to treatment. From this is when a therapeutic relationship in it's truest form develops and the real work gets completed.

I've worked with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, bipolar, ADHD, and trauma disorders, as well as, life adjustments, attachment-related problems, interpersonal difficulties, communication, and life’s general difficulties, like time management or organization skills. In my work, I value the therapeutic relationship. I believe the experience of sitting in a space dedicated to you with someone who values you is a crucial part of the healing process.