Dr. Kayla Smith, PhD, LCSW
Therapist. Speaker. Author. Innovator.
Hi! I am Kayla
I am equal parts professional and playful. Life is too short not to laugh at yourself, find joy in the small things, and stay curious like a child seeing the world for the first time. When I’m not writing, speaking, or leading, you can usually find me in the stands as a proud cheer mom, binging documentaries, or unwinding on my tractor with the sun on my face. Crafting, building, traveling, and spending time with my kids bring me the kind of balance I value most.
My journey has been both personal and professional. I earned my PhD in Philosophy, became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor (LCSW-S), authored two books, and now have the honor of speaking nationally on mental health, leadership, and innovation. I founded Helen’s Project, a multi-state nonprofit dedicated to making behavioral health care more accessible and equitable.
Along the way, I have been grateful to receive the United Way Social Innovation Incubator award and to join their Social Innovation Accelerator, where I continue to champion sustainable, community-driven solutions for mental health care.
More than titles or achievements, what truly drives me is heart. Whether I’m standing on a stage, sitting at the advisory table, or laughing with my kids, my mission remains the same: to lift voices, build community, and remind people that healing can be both powerful and deeply human.
Professional Services Offered by Dr. Kayla Smith & Helen’s Project
At Helen’s Project, we provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive clinical and professional services designed to support individuals, families, organizations, and helping professionals. Whether you're seeking therapy, advanced training, or support building your career or business, we’re here to help you grow with clarity and confidence.
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I provide clinical supervision for LMSWs and social workers pursuing advanced licensure in multiple states. My approach integrates trauma-informed practice, cultural humility, ethics, and real-world clinical application. Supervision is offered individually or in small groups, with a strong focus on competency, confidence, and career readiness.
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I offer individual therapy for adolescents and adults using evidence-based and attachment-based models, including EMDR, TBRI, CBT, narrative work, and survivor-centered trauma care. Sessions focus on healing identity wounds, trauma recovery, boundaries, grief, and emotional regulation.
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I facilitate specialized group therapy experiences, including trauma recovery groups, identity + purpose groups, grief support, and behavioral wellness groups. Groups offer community, belonging, and structured therapeutic support in a safe and collaborative environment.
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I provide keynote speeches, workshops, trainings, and panel discussions on mental health, trauma, human trafficking awareness, culturally responsive care, organizational wellness, and leadership development. Available for schools, nonprofits, conferences, agencies, and corporate events.
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I support emerging leaders, helping professionals, and entrepreneurs with:
Clinical credentialing support (LMSW → LCSW, multi-state licensing, supervision readiness)
Organizational development
Program building & SOP creation
Branding and service structuring
Leadership coaching
Private practice consultation
Grant & compliance guidance
This service is designed to help practitioners and founders build sustainable, ethical, mission-driven careers and businesses.
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ItemClinical supervision (LCSW-S + multistate support)
EMDR & TBRI therapy
Trauma-focused individual therapy
Group therapy and psychoeducation programs
Speaking, workshops, and conference presentations
Professional coaching for clinicians and founders
Credentialing assistance & supervision readiness
Program design & community partnerships description
What if wanting more out of life isn’t selfish—it’s sacred?
The Audacity to Want More is a therapeutic guided workbook for those who are ready to stop performing and start living. Created by therapist Kayla Smith, LCSW, this book offers a compassionate space to explore your emotional patterns, heal from burnout, and reconnect with the version of yourself you’ve been quieting for too long.
Through journal prompts, self-reflection exercises, poetry, and real-life therapeutic insights, this workbook invites you to redefine what success, healing, and fulfillment truly look like—for you. You’ll uncover the quiet work that happens beneath the surface, the kind of growth that doesn’t need to be posted to be powerful.
Whether you're breaking generational cycles, learning how to rest without guilt, or simply ready to want more from your life, this book is your permission slip to begin again, on your own terms. Inside You’ll Find:
Guided journal prompts for self-exploration
Emotional pattern tracking & healing exercises
Tools for setting boundaries and building self-trust
Gentle affirmations and poetic reflections
Worksheets for redefining success and daily self-check-ins
This isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about becoming more of yourself—with clarity, courage, and compassion.
Invest in Your Growth — and Your Community
Invest in Your Growth — and Your Community
Explore our shop to access tools for healing, growth, and personal transformation. From books and digital resources to professional services and wellness offerings, everything we create is designed to help you reclaim your power, build healthier boundaries, and live with intention.
Every purchase also helps fund Heal It Forward, our program that provides low-cost therapy and support to youth, survivors, families, and underserved communities.
Your healing fuels someone else’s access to care.