podcasts > Addiction | Diagnosing (Testing & Evaluation) | Therapy

Healing Through Life’s Hardest Moments: A Therapist’s Story

September 11, 2026 Sep 11, 2026

What happens when life’s most difficult moments become the foundation for helping others?

In this episode of Convos from the Couch, LifeStance therapist Kellen Smith shares her deeply personal journey, including her adoption story, struggles with identity and belonging, recovery from addiction, and the life-changing experiences that eventually led her to a career in mental health care.

Along the way, Kellen reflects on motherhood, personal growth, radical acceptance, and the lasting impact compassionate therapists can have on a person’s life. Her story is a reminder that healing is rarely a straight line, but growth is always possible.

September 11, 2026

with Kellen Smith, MSW, LSW

MEET THE GUEST

Kellen Smith, MSW, LSW

Kellen M. Smith, LSW, MSW, CADC, CODP, and CAIP, is a compassionate therapist at LifeStance Health in Illinois, specializing in supporting individuals through challenges with substance use disorders, mental health issues, religious trauma, and the aftermath of human trafficking. Kellen is dedicated to empowering her clients, providing them with tools to overcome life’s stresses and emerge resilient. Serving adults and adolescents, she creates a safe, supportive environment for healing and personal growth. With expertise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Kellen tailors her therapeutic approach to meet the unique needs of each individual. She focuses on empowering clients to navigate issues related to anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and trauma, with particular attention to individuals who have endured religious trauma or complex life transitions. Her goal is to foster self-compassion and resilience, helping clients move forward.

View Kellen's Profile

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