Meet Trailblazer Dr. LaToya Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. LaToya Smith.

Dr. Smith, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I moved to Denton from Austin in 2009 to start my Master’s in Counseling at UNT. It’s funny because my best friend went to TWU during her undergrad and I always teased her saying “I would never live in Denton.” So much of my personal and professional growth has happened here in the last ten years and I can’t imagine it being any different. I always knew I would be a counselor and have a passion for decreasing the stigma around seeking counseling services, especially in minority populations. I always tell my students I would not be the person I am today if it was not for my own journey in personal counseling.

I never thought I would get my Ph.D. but when given the opportunity, I knew it was another piece of the puzzle I had to complete toward my purpose in life. I love teaching. There is something special and fulfilling about ‘helping the helpers.’ And I get to help more clients through training, supervising, and mentoring counseling students. Teaching and seeing clients balance each other out and leave me feeling fulfilled, grateful, and inspired.

I graduated with my Master’s in Counseling in August 2011 and with my Ph.D. in Counseling in May 2015. I am currently teaching at UNT, SMU, and seeing clients.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My road has been anything but smooth, and I know each bump in the road served a purpose or taught me a lesson. I would say the biggest struggles along the way included my own self-doubt and some big life transitions. I am a planner by nature and nothing has gone according to my plan, starting from my admission to UNT for my Master’s. The thing about being in school for so long is that life continues to happen while you are training and studying. I’ve lost people, some who meant a lot to me, and I had to take the time to grieve, while also going to school and working. Now, ten years later, I know the bumps along the way were there to make my life even better than I had planned. I grew up in a single parent household, so I am no stranger to struggles. I know growing up this way has made me ambitious, resilient, and my work ethic is strong.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
When I am teaching, I work with students typically in their clinical courses, where they are learning how to be counselors and practice their skills counseling. Another part of being a counselor educator is doing research. That is something I plan to do more of over the next year. My biggest interests in research are topics related to diversity. I also love to teach diversity and help counselor trainees grow in learning about the experiences of those who are different from them.

When I am counseling, I specialize in working with adults and adolescents. I have a passion for supporting the LGBTQ+ population. Self-care, wellness, and self-esteem are probably at the core of my work with clients. I love that I get to empower is to be their most authentic self, process and let go of their baggage, and just live a more fulfilled life (whatever that looks like for them).

In the next few years, I plan to expand my practice to integrate my love for fitness with mental health.

It’s hard for me to say what I am most proud of. What keeps coming up for me is just how grateful I am to get to love what I do. The cool thing about being a counselor and counselor educator is that it forces you to continue to become a better person yourself. So, I am proud that I don’t give up and that I am a fighter.

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
I would tell a young woman to take the time to slow down and work on any personal growth areas you think you may need to, with the help of a counselor. Your mental well-being is super important and our beliefs about ourselves impact us every single day, in every role, so it must be a priority. I would also advise women to engage in self-care and allow your village to support you. You don’t need a lot of people, but you do need a few, people you can be your most authentic self with. It won’t happen overnight. This is a lesson that took me a long time to prioritize and now I see how important it is. Lastly, for my other “planners” out there, allow yourself to go with the flow and be okay with life not going according to your plan. If you have a higher power, trust and surrender yourself a plan that is bigger than you. Trust your process and journey and try not to compare it to anyone else’s.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 5124236521
• Email: drlsmith84@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drt1913/
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latoya-smith-ph-d-lpc-ncc-79a909113

Image Credit:
Brandon Mohair

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