Meet the Team

Is it the journey or the destination?
Neither. It’s the company.

Therapy is a challenging process, but with the right therapist, it can also be a beautiful journey. Finding the right fit is crucial—after all, you’re sharing your most vulnerable self. It’s our turn to share about ourselves with you!

Dr. Shaneze Gayle Smith, Ph.D

Founder & Clinical Director

So, let me tell you a little about me.

I'm a licensed clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience working with teens, young adults, and parents. My work focuses on trauma, anxiety, chronic health issues, and parenting challenges. Before starting my private practice, I was the Director of Child & Adolescent programming at a CBT-based clinic and have supervised doctoral trainees. 

I’m also an adjunct professor and doctoral trainee supervisor.

Personally, I am a mother. I identify as a Black/Latina (mixed race) cis-woman, wife, sister (to four brothers!), autoimmune warrior, recovering perfectionist and reformed people pleaser. My own experiences with childhood trauma, motherhood, and work-life balance shape the way I approach therapy. I’ve been through my own hard times, and I believe in turning that pain into purpose. 

I bring humor, authenticity, and compassion into my sessions, making space for growth, even when things are tough. I may be a bit sarcastic, lighthearted, and straightforward, but I believe in holding space for your full story. And, if you're a Harry Potter fan, I’m your person—with a wand to prove it!

SPECIALIZED TRAININGS

  • Experience working in about a dozen integrative hospital settings (pediatric & adult) with illnesses including diabetes, cancer, chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal issues such as IBD (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis) and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), hypertension, sickle cell, PCOS, and migraines. Dr. Gayle Smith has direct medical experience having attended medical school for 3 years prior to her psychology training which provides her with unique perspective on the interplay between the mind and body.

  • Childhood Trauma (including neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse), adult survivors of childhood trauma, sexual assault, medical trauma & childbirth trauma.  

    Expertise in the following trauma therapies: TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused CBT); CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) & CPC-CBT (Combined Parent-Child CBT for Physical Abuse)

  • Experience working with parents individually, parent couples (specifically those navigating cultural or racial differences), co-parents (for divorced/blended families), parent groups and parent-child dyads. Additionally, Dr. Gayle Smith has clinical experience working with mothers navigating issues pertaining to perinatal concerns, motherhood, work-life balance & postpartum diagnoses such as postpartum depression, anxiety and PTSD.

  • Positive Parenting; Parent Management Training (PMT) and Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) for ADHD, disruptive behaviors and oppositionality. 

    Adolescent DBT for teens & young adults with suicidality, self-harming & emotion regulation issues. 

    Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD, anxiety/phobias and school refusal.

  • Dr. Gayle Smith has received specialized training in EFT (emotion focused therapy) with a particular emphasis on providing inclusive and affirming care (ex: LGBTQ/queer and interracial couples). She also received training via the Supporting Healthy Relationships program at Montefiore Medical Center which is a family strengthening program designed to empower parenting couples to achieve family success by helping them improve communication and reduce destructive conflict. Dr. Gayle Smith has aided couples who work in high stress professions navigate work-life balance/competing career priorities in a marriage, parenting conflict (differences in parenting styles), communication issues, cultural differences (due to difference in race, ethnicity, and SES) and improving intimacy.

Education & Certifications

  • PhD in Clinical Psychology, Seton Hall University (Health Psychology & Child/Adolescent Focus)

  • Psychology Residency, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center

  • MS in Forensic Psychology, Walden University

  • Medical School (3 years), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School

  • BA in Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University

Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, Psychodynamic Therapy (Relational & Attachment-Based)

Licensure

I provide in person therapy in New York City and am licensed to provide virtual therapy in:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Vernee Brooks, LPC, LMHC

Licensed Professional Counselor & Licensed Mental Health Counselor

So, let me tell you a little about me.

I am a born and raised Jersey girl who recently moved to the south. With that being said, life is a bit different now that the weather doesn’t hurt my face but tribulations will follow you where ever you go. With that knowledge, I maintain my wellness toolbox, do my self care, and remember to check in. It is important for me to ensure my clients grow to a space where they are able to do the same thing. My style of Therapy includes talk therapy as we uncover what’s necessary for you as a person. After that differing modalities are entered in as well as skills to continue the work at home. My hope is that after you no longer come to me, that you no longer need me.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I specialize in childhood trauma, anxiety, depression, race issues, and woman issues. With over 10 year experience in the field I have honed my skills in various therapeutic techniques to better show up for my clients. My passion for therapy was born out of my innate ability to somehow relate to most people and be the person they come to in times of crisis. It did not take me long to recognize my super power on this earth and I hope to use it to help strengthen 1 person at a time in learning theirs and thriving in it. 

SPECIALIZED TRAININGS

  • Childhood Trauma (including neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse), adult survivors of childhood trauma and children of narcissists.

    Expertise in trauma-informed treatments. Ms. Brooks worked in Mental Hospitals, Group settings, Inpatient and Outpatient facilities and in home. She would help people identify, process, and grow through their past traumas and uncover who they were meant to be.

  • Experience working with parents individually, parent couples (specifically children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectually Disabled and Down Syndrome), co-parents (for divorced/blended families), parent groups and parent-child dyads. Ms. Brooks has experience providing treatment within the hospital, group homes and going directly into family homes.

  • Adolescent DBT for teens & young adults with borderline personality disorder, suicidality, self-harming & emotion regulation issues. 

    Ms. Brooks has experience treating children, adolescent and young adults with developmental or social disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Mood Disorder believed to adjust to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in adulthood.

Education & Certifications

  • MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Walden University

  • BA in Psychology, Rutgers University

Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, Psychodynamic Therapy (Relational & Attachment-Based)

Licensure

I provide in person therapy in Houston, TX and am licensed to provide virtual therapy in New Jersey.

Licensed Professional Counselor (NJ, TX, NY pending)

15 years working in Mental Health

10 years working with Developmental Disabilities

  • Acting with kindness to another’s suffering and understanding how life shapes both our struggles and strengths.

  • Approaching each person with interest and openness.

  • Being fully present and engaged with our clients.

  • We don’t have all the answers, and we’re constantly learning—you're the expert on your life.

  • Embracing diverse perspectives and considering all the evidence.

  • Showing up as our true selves to create a space for others to do the same.

  • Finding moments of lightness, even in difficult conversations.

Our Core Values