Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheena Smith
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in Harlem NY during the 90s, I witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of gun violence, untreated mental health issues, and the crippling effects of addiction. The streets were filled with stories of struggle—people trapped in cycles of drug and gambling addiction, communities ravaged by mental health crises, and a lack of resources to get the help they desperately needed.
As a child, I felt something in my heart telling me that this wasn’t right. I knew I couldn’t stand by and watch my community suffer without doing something to help. But at the time, I didn’t know where to begin or what steps to take.
I thought I might want to become a nurse, as I was drawn to the idea of helping others. I studied nursing but soon realized that my true passion lay in understanding the mind, the root causes of trauma, and how to heal those who were struggling with mental health challenges. This led me to shift my focus, and I pursued a path in mental health and abuse counseling.
In my pursuit of this new direction, I earned my master’s degree and later, my Doctorate in Community Care in Counseling with a focus on trauma. But I didn’t stop there. Long before I completed my doctoral studies, I realized that the need for services in my community was urgent, and I had the skills to make a difference right then and there.
In 2013, I founded Working Towards a Brighter Future, a behavioral health organization dedicated to providing help, hope, and support to those battling mental health issues, addiction, and other behavioral health needs. This was more than just an organization—it was my way of giving back to the community that shaped me. It was a way to create accessible resources, spread awareness, and offer the support that I wish I had seen in my own neighborhood growing up.
Today, I am proud to serve as a Licensed Psychotherapist, but I will never forget the journey that brought me here. From the pain and struggles of my community to the work I do now, my mission remains the same: to heal, support, and uplift those who need it most.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The issue of funding. Securing financial resources to run a business, especially one dedicated to helping others, was tough. It required countless hours of research, proposal writing, and networking. At times, it felt like the funding was just out of reach, but I kept pushing forward, knowing that the work we were doing was too important to let go.
Hiring reliable staff was another challenge. Finding passionate individuals who shared the vision for the organization and had the necessary expertise wasn’t always easy. Building a team that was not only qualified but also deeply committed to the cause took time, effort, and patience.
Today, despite these struggles, I am proud to serve as a Licensed Psychotherapist and continue to lead Working Towards a Brighter Future. The obstacles I faced along the way didn’t deter me; they only strengthened my resolve. From the pain and struggles of my community to the work I do now, my mission remains the same: to heal, support, and uplift those who need it most.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Working Towards a Brighter Future ?
Working Towards a Brighter Future (WTABF), a behavioral health organization dedicated to providing help, hope, and support to those battling mental health issues, addiction, and other behavioral health needs. WTABF is not just an organization—it is my way of giving back to the community that shaped me. It is a way to create accessible resources, spread awareness, and offer the support that I wish I had seen in my own neighborhood growing up.
How do you think about happiness?
For me, happiness doesn’t come from material things—it’s in the simple, everyday moments. A peaceful day with the sound of birds chirping and the rustling of leaves in nature brings me a sense of calm. I love hearing the laughter of children playing, a reminder of the joy and innocence that still exists in the world. And, perhaps most of all, I find happiness in a warm hug, the kind that makes you feel seen, heard, and supported.
These moments are free. They’re not tied to anything we can buy, but rather the connections we share with others and the world around us. It’s the small, yet meaningful experiences that fill my heart with gratitude and joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Towardsabrighterfuture.org
- Instagram: Coachdrsheena
- Facebook: Sheena Rafat Smith
- LinkedIn: Dr. Sheena Smith, Ed.D, LPC, LCADC
