Blog
Notes from Jill Smith & Associates on therapy, relationships, and life in the Midlands.
Couples
Most couples who come to therapy aren't actually fighting about the dishes, the schedule, or who forgot to call the plumber. Those are the surface arguments. Underneath them is usually something else…
Therapy
A lot of people assume they need health insurance to go to therapy. If your coverage doesn't include mental health, or the copays are unpredictable, it's easy to feel like care is out of reach. But f…
Therapy
Some memories don't fade the way they're supposed to. Logically, you know the event is over. You're safe, you're in the present, and the calendar says years have passed. But your nervous system didn'…
General
It’s easy to feel like you can (or need to) handle life’s challenges alone. All too often, it becomes second nature to “figure things out,” when, in reality, true healing and understanding can begin…
Therapy
When someone we care about is hurting, it’s natural to want to step in and make things better. We make them soup when they have a cold. We apply a Band-Aid for cuts and scrapes. But when a loved one…
Therapy
Many people who seek counseling have lived through painful or overwhelming experiences that still affect them today. Sometimes, those experiences are easy to name, like a car accident, loss of a love…
Therapy
Holidays are meant to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many, this season brings more pressure than peace. Yet even when stress lingers, there’s still room for joy. You often just nee…
Children
A new school year can be an exciting time for our children, from small pleasures like choosing a new backpack to a long-awaited reunion with classmates. However, for many, this time also stirs up som…
General
Growing therapy group deepens commitment to clinical excellence and whole-team care. COLUMBIA, S.C. (Aug. 28, 2025) – Jill Smith + Associates Counseling—the premier counseling practice in the greater…
General
The woman-owned talk therapy group has served more than 7,000 clients over the past two decades COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 19, 2023) – Jill Smith + Associates Counseling — the premier counseling practice in…
Therapy
The holidays can be a time of gathering, joy, and family. However, for those struggling with depression or loss the season signifies a time of stress, anxiety, and worsened symptoms. In fact, 64% of…
Therapy
Can we still call our office at 426 South Lake Blvd in Lexington new?? What are the rules? Does Emily Post weigh in on this one? For those of you who haven’t been in, let me tell you about our new ho…
Couples
Last week I was invited to assist at an EFT training in UNC Greensboro. This four day introductory training spends an entire day reviewing the literature on attachment bonds and the role they play in…
Therapy
The holidays can be a challenging time for many, but having ADHD can bring special challenges. The seemingly never ending to-do list and desire for the perfect holiday season, can leave you feeling o…
Couples
Do you recognize this couple? Do they remind you of you? Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a unique empirically-based approach, based on methods designed to help people accept, express, regulate,…
Therapy
I have become a devoted student of Sue Johnson and Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples and individuals. 2016 was devoted to six extensive trainings in Atlanta and Greensboro where I was trained b…
Boundaries
I love to use analogies and metaphors in therapy sessions. Allegories, too. Hands down, my favorite, for many years is the hula hoop. Yes, the simple childhood toy. The same one. THAT hula hoop. Here…
Therapy
Patient: My cousin died last year. He and I grew up together, hanging out on hot summer days, getting into trouble, fishin. Drank our first beer together. He died last year. Did I already say that? I…
Therapy
Counseling sessions have become hot fodder for reality shows. And big budget movies. And Netflix TV Series. You can find me watching intently, too…popcorn bowl in hand. And why not? What happens betw…
Therapy
Lots of our clients are working on forgiving their partner’s affairs. Is there really anything much harder? Moving forward can feel like all your pain and “victimization” is being forgotten…or at the…
Therapy
One service that we have always offered at JSA is “telehealth.” Simply put, it’s the phrase we use to describe online therapy. As our country is on the move these days and so connected to our laptops…
Therapy
For those with a fascination for the therapy profession and therapy experience as a client…this article is worth reading. I particularly love the encouragement for clinicians to be in a consultation…
General
As I wrapped up my last session of the day, I remembered to pace myself and take my time exploring with my clients. Lucky to have the flexibility to engage in-depth with clients, the way that’s neede…
Children
I see confusion on many parents’ faces when they bring their 4 to 10 year old child to a session and I pull out the large sand tray from under the couch. The child is instantly thrilled. We take to t…
