meet tara smith, mmft, lmft-A
Hi, I’m Tara.
I'm a marriage and family therapist in Greenwood, South Carolina. I help couples work through challenges in their relationship that can come up at any stage; whether it be pre-marital, life transitions and stress, or crisis and disconnection.
I prioritize communication through direct and honest discussion. I give couples a safe space to get to the root of your issues. I am truthful in expressing my thoughts, while also considering the perspectives of my clients. I provide constructive feedback and different viewpoints to give room for self-examination leading to helpful decisions. Transformation is possible and you have what it takes to get there!
If you are ready to....
have clear, honest, respectful discussions with your partner.
feel listened to, understood, and seen.
express your feelings and needs without judgement.
feel supported as both an individual and a partner in your relationship.
receive and give acceptance for each other's mistakes and move forward.
establish agreements on important topics like finances, personal goals, family planning, and parenting.
then you are in the right spot!
Let’s take the first step together. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today.
what working with me looks like
My approach is relaxed, collaborative, and honest. I'm genuinely curious about each client's world: what matters to you, how you got here, and what you hope will change. In our sessions, both partners will feel heard and seen.
I listen to understand, not just to respond, because I believe you are the expert on your own story. I take the time to truly hear each person in the room: who you are, what you've lived through, and how you experience your relationship. In couples work, the relationship itself is my client. That means I'm not there to choose a side, but I will gently help each of you see the role you play in the patterns between you.
Along the way, I notice the strengths and resilience in your story, even the ones you may have overlooked, and together we shape a new narrative that reflects who you are at your core.
People often tell me they feel at ease with me quickly, and that trust is where real change begins. Together, we'll work to uncover the root of the challenges you're facing as a couple.
Lasting change takes a commitment from each partner to practice what we explore in session out in everyday life. My office is a safe place to slowly let down your walls and be honest with yourself and each other. Here, there's room for every part of you to be heard and honored.
How my own journey led me to helping couples and families.
My path to becoming a therapist began at a tender turning point in my own life, when personal struggles led me to step back from my career and focus on myself and my family. I was fortunate to find a therapist who was direct, honest, and deeply kind, and who gently challenged me to do the hard, meaningful work of real change. I embraced nearly every moment of that growth. After almost 20 years as a nurse recruiter, I realized that what I'd always loved most was connecting with people and walking alongside them through life's challenges, so I made that the heart of my work.
So much of who we are is shaped by the family we grew up in. Even when they're doing their very best, families can pass down quiet messages about our feelings and our worth that don't serve us, and those patterns often find their way into our closest relationships, sometimes for generations. I saw this in my own family. With my therapist's help, I began to see myself in a new light, and that shift in understanding allowed me to grow in ways I hadn't thought possible. As I changed, my relationships with my partner and children changed too, becoming warmer and more connected. Now I want to help couples in our community experience that same kind of healing.
Peek Inside My World
SUPERPOWERS
Attentive, Easygoing, Accepting, Lighthearted
THINGS I LOVE
Reading, working out, puzzles, board games, traveling, going to concerts, coffee
WHERE I’VE LIVED
South Carolina, Georgia, New Jersey, New York
WHERE I WANT TO GO
Greece, Ireland, Maine
DAILY RITUAL
Mindfulness, Walking, Spending time outdoors
How I Can Help You
Education, Credentials & Certifications
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Furman University
University Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) from Converse University
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFT-A) SC License #11173
Completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Are you ready for a relationship where you both feel heard, supported, and understood?
I’d love to help you get there. Book a free 15 minute consultation with me.