Rafi Smith

The need to be understood is one of our most basic attatchment needs

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Rafi Smith's style

Why Rafi Smith chose to be in the helping profession

I became a therapist because I wanted to make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives. So many individuals walk around carrying pain they don’t fully understand, unsure of where it comes from or how to move through it. My goal is to be a steady, compassionate presence — a hand to help guide them through that confusion and toward clarity, healing, and hope. There’s something incredibly meaningful about witnessing someone start to feel safe enough to explore their emotions and to believe that change is possible.

I’ve always believed in people, especially when they’ve forgotten how to believe in themselves. Too many grow up feeling unseen, unmotivated, anxious, or alone, never realizing the strength and beauty that already exist within them. Therapy, for me, is about helping people reconnect with those parts of themselves — the courage, the creativity, and the quiet resilience that might have been buried by years of self-doubt. Watching someone rediscover their worth and begin to live with more authenticity, confidence, and peace is one of the greatest privileges of my work.

Rafi Smith's approach

I often describe my approach as helping people move from simply surviving to genuinely thriving. My goal is to create a warm, open, and safe space where you can feel fully seen, heard, and accepted. In that space, healing often unfolds through the power of connection — through building trust together and experiencing what it means to be supported in ways that may not have felt possible before. I believe that real growth begins when we feel safe enough to show up as ourselves.

Therapy with me is a deeply collaborative process. We’ll explore what you’re experiencing and why, not just to understand your challenges but to bring compassion and clarity to your story. From there, we’ll uncover your strengths and inner resources, helping you reconnect with the parts of yourself that are ready to heal and grow. My hope is to guide you toward a life that feels not only manageable, but truly meaningful, balanced, and fulfilling.

What you can expect from sessions with Rafi Smith

In our sessions, we’ll start by creating a space that feels safe, supportive, and genuinely understanding — a place where you can show up as yourself without judgment. Building a trusting relationship is at the heart of our work together, because true healing begins when you feel seen and accepted. From there, we’ll gently explore what’s been challenging for you, making sense of your experiences with curiosity, compassion, and care.

I draw from a variety of therapeutic approaches to meet your unique needs and goals, knowing that there’s no single path that works for everyone. Our process is collaborative, flexible, and tailored to what feels most natural and effective for you. My goal is to help you gain insight, recognize your strengths, and move toward a deeper sense of balance, self-acceptance, and fulfillment in your life.

Rafi Smith's experience working with the Jewish community

Having grown up within the Jewish community, I’ve seen firsthand the many unique challenges that Jewish teens and adults face — both on a personal level and within the larger communal landscape. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for how cultural, spiritual, and social influences shape a person’s emotional world. They’ve also helped me understand how meaningful it can be to have a therapist who truly “gets it” — someone who can hold space for both the beauty and the struggles that come with navigating life within this community.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with Jewish individuals in many different settings — from Yeshiva classrooms to summer camps to one-on-one sessions with married men and adolescents. Each experience has deepened my belief in the importance of meeting every person with sensitivity to their background, faith, and values. My goal is to offer support that honors those experiences while helping each person grow, heal, and find a sense of balance, strength, and authenticity in their life.

Rafi Smith's Book Recommendation Zone

• On Becoming a Person
  The basics of Humanistic Therapy
• The Body Keeps the Score
  An incredible understanding of Trauma
• How to Win Friends and Influence People
  Understanding the psychology of people
• Hold Me Tight
  Understanding relationships and connection

Approaches

• Attachment-based
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Couples Counseling
• EMDR
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Inner child work
• Person-Centered Therapy
• Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
• Trauma Focused Therapy

Concerns

• Addiction
• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Drug/Substance Abuse
• Relationships
• Trauma

2 years in practice

Licenses

• Psychotherapist by BACP 2025. License number 01030385

Certificates

• Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling by PATH Center

Trainings

• EFT Externship by ICEEFT
• EMDR by Dr Norman Goldwasser

Average costs per session

$100

Payment Methods

• Sliding Scale
• Free consultation
• Zelle Quick Pay