Name: TerriLynn T. Smith. MSPC
Title: CEO/Therapist
Company: Let’s Talk About H.E.R. Therapy, LLC
Industry: Mental Health
Keynote Speaker: TerriLynn T. Smith is an honoree and the keynote speaker for the 2022 Onyx Woman Network Leadership Awards reception. She is a therapist who specializes in mental health. TerriLynn has been recognized for her work in mental health and is especially passionate about addressing mental health and Black women. She is an advocate for mental health awareness and works to promote mental health education in the Black community.
What role has the support of other women played in your success?
The support from women within my family and sister circle has been essential to my dreams, drive, and determination.
In the moment of wanting to take a chance on myself, I found myself face to face with my personal insecurities, doubts, and fears. Within such a stigmatized profession, my idea of success was consciously, but not confidently, welcomed. Having the support of my mother, daughter, granddaughters, and sister-circle, especially my cousin Khaliah, united, prayed, and gave me guidance in allowing me to trust and follow my heart. Additionally, the lack of support a few elected to display further motivated me to show up and show out for myself. From learning experiences, I have accepted that not everyone in your circle will be in your corner, and that concept also provides my success value.
Are you where you thought you would be, and how did you get here?
I never imagined being a therapist, let alone a therapist with a private practice to support the healing of women that look like and endure life familiarities like me, in an empathic and relatable manner. Enduring certain experiences, like today, make this practice feel so surreal as well as humbly accepting. Prayer, hard work, and believing in myself allowed me to be where I am today. I am still learning, growing, and evolving, and I feel this will be an ongoing process.
What would you tell other women about overcoming obstacles?
Never stop believing in yourself and recognize who you are. Learn to embrace your sense of self, values, and desires; Breathe, Execute, and Kill Shit! Understand that you will face doubts and fears, insecurities and vulnerabilities, but you and only you can build the bridge between failure and success. Understand you are not alone! We are cheering for you internally, mentally, and universally. Chin up, Head high, and Crown adjusted, Queen, you got this!
What does the phrase “Sis, I see you!” mean to you?
When I hear phrases such as Sis, I see you, Alright queen, You go girl, or my favorite Yasssss!…to me, this represents a collective acknowledgment of recognizing, applauding, and authentically validating other women. It’s a celebratory language created for us, by us, to provide another woman with her flowers in a figurative manner. It creates a sense of camaraderie among us, builds collaboration, not competition, enhances confidence building, and projects creative empowerment.
