DR. DAVE SMILEY

WHAT WAS YOUR PATH TO BECOMING A PSYCHOLOGIST? In the 70's, I struggled with finding my life path, quitting school twice because I was more interested in learning from experience than from textbooks. One day, in the middle of a panic attack, I found myself on my knees begging God to tell me what to do. Much to my surprise, I heard a voice telling me to go back to school and become a psychologist. At first, I resisted. But the voice insisted. Ever since I can remember, friends and family had come to me with their problems, knowing that I would listen without judgment, providing comfort and acceptance. As I reflected on the message I had heard, I realized that the voice was right: this was the path for me. For the first time, I had found this inner knowing that has guided me ever since. WHAT SHOULD SOMEONE KNOW ABOUT WORKING WITH YOU? My goal is to help you create space in your life, and in your mind, so that you can tune in to your own inner wisdom. Whether you realize it or not, there is a part of you that always has your best interests at heart and knows your best path forward. However, we have been taught to ignore or minimize that inner awareness. We learn to discount our thoughts and feelings. I will provide you with tools to access your subconscious mind, where that inner wisdom is hidden. You will learn how the subconscious mind works, and how to make it work for you. When appropriate, we may use hypnosis or guided meditation to uncover and remove blocks within you. You will learn to make mindful choices rather than unconscious ones that cause more harm than good. HOW DO YOUR CORE VALUES SHAPE YOUR APPROACH TO CARE? I am not a member of any religious organization or faith, but I believe we are all "made in the image of God." We are spiritual beings living a human existence. Each of us has a right to live as we wish, as long as we are not harming others. In my practice, I strive to create a space of acceptance and compassion, so that you can feel safe being you. I see life as an incredible gift. It has many beautiful moments for us to appreciate with joy and gratitude. It also presents us with challenges that can cause tremendous suffering. However, even those challenges can offer us opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. If we work together, I will encourage you to look for the gift hidden inside whatever is causing you pain. WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT IN THE EVOLVING MENTAL HEALTH LANDSCAPE? I am extremely excited about the increasing interest in meditation and mindfulness training as a way of calming the mind and improving our ability to experience joy. As a student of world religions, I have been familiar with these practices since the 70's. I am happy to see scientists recognizing that techniques originating thousands of years ago can be invaluable in helping people today. If you suffer from depression, anxiety, pain, or generalized stress, we can explore the benefits those tools may provide to you.