Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Smith.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was younger, I struggled deeply with anxiety, depression, and a severe eating disorder. It wasn’t until I found a therapist I truly connected with and trusted that I began to find my way out of that darkness. Therapy didn’t just change my life—it saved my life.
Having a dedicated space to sit for an hour each week gave me permission to lean into the hardest parts of my story. It allowed me to explore pain, experience healing, and learn practical skills for navigating life’s inevitable ups and downs. Because of that experience, I knew in my mid-twenties that I wanted to pay it forward. I returned to school to earn my master’s degree in Professional Counseling so I could help others find the same kind of support.
As a young adult, paying for therapy out of pocket was incredibly challenging. That experience sparked a lasting passion for increasing access to quality mental health care. For several years, I saw a small private practice caseload in the evenings while spending most of my career providing services in rehabilitation centers and later in the public school system, where I worked for 11 years. I loved serving individuals in those settings, but over time it became increasingly clear that the most meaningful and lasting change happened when clients had consistent, ongoing therapy outside of institutional constraints.
A few years ago, a report showed that Texas ranked 49th out of 51—including Washington, D.C.—for access to mental health care. That statistic was unacceptable to me. It was at that point that I began intentionally growing my team, and last year I transitioned into full-time private practice. Every therapist on our team shares the belief that access to care matters—and that access must include high-quality treatment delivered by well-trained clinicians who genuinely care about their clients. To help remove barriers, our entire team accepts insurance so more people can receive the support they need.
I started 246 Counseling as a labor of love. The name comes from Proverbs 24:6: *“For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counsel there is victory.”* Those words have proven true in my own life, and I believe they hold true for all of us. We were never meant to do life alone. Sometimes we need more than the support of a friend or family member—we need to sit with someone who understands how the brain works, is trained in effective therapeutic techniques, and can walk alongside us as we heal, grow, and move toward new goals. This is what we do at 246 Counseling.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Jumping feet first into private practice and building 246 Counseling was a frightening step for me. In 2018, my desire to care for others expanded beyond my professional life and into my home when I became a licensed foster parent. Over the course of a few years, I had the privilege of caring for eight children, an experience that profoundly shaped both my personal life and my work as a therapist.
That journey ultimately led to the adoption of my son, who is the center of my world. As a single mother, providing stability, security, and a strong foundation for him is my highest priority. Starting a business and relying on it as my sole source of financial stability was undeniably scary—but it has also been deeply fulfilling.
Watching 246 Counseling grow, welcoming new clinicians to our team, and expanding our ability to care for more people has been both humbling and incredibly rewarding. What began as a leap of faith has become a meaningful extension of the values that guide my life: showing up, caring deeply, and creating spaces where people can heal and thrive.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about 246 Counseling?
We are a group of Licensed Professional Counselors who are passionate about creating a safe, confidential space where clients can explore any challenge they’re facing. In our offices, no topic is off-limits. Whether you’re coming in to process past trauma, navigate current stressors, or simply give yourself the time and space to better understand yourself and pursue personal growth, we are here to support you.
We have physical offices in Forney, Fate, and Shenandoah (near Houston), and we also serve clients across the DFW area through a secure telehealth platform. Our goal is to operate without waitlists, so help is available when it’s needed most. And if we’re not the right fit, we are committed to helping you find someone who is. Connecting people to quality mental health care—whether within our practice or beyond it—is always our priority.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
So many things bring me deep joy. I’m always excited when I see a new client added to our schedule, because it means someone has made the brave decision to take ownership of their healing and their story. There is something incredibly meaningful about being invited into that process.
The deepest joy, though, comes after the hard work of therapy—when a client looks at me and we’re both able to recognize moments of healing and real growth. I care deeply about the people who trust me with their stories, and getting to celebrate their progress alongside them is truly a gift.
I am also profoundly honored to be part of a team of therapists who share both my passion and my joy. Being surrounded by women who are deeply invested in their clients, committed to ongoing professional growth, and dedicated to providing thoughtful, high-quality care is something I don’t take lightly. Together, we show up each day with the shared goal of helping people heal, grow, and move forward. There is nothing better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://246counseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/246counseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/246counseling
