Ebony Smith
Ebony Smith is a dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor and founder of The Therapy Desk, LLC, a mental health practice based in Greater St. Louis. With over five years of experience in community mental health, Ebony specializes in trauma-informed care, CBT, DBT, and faith-integrated approaches to support emotional wellness. As CEO, she provides therapy to individuals and couples, designs workshops and support groups, authors therapeutic guides, and creates content that educates, destigmatizes, and increases access to mental health services.
Ebony’s professional journey into mental health began after a friend encouraged her to apply to Webster University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, which she completed with distinction. Her prior exploration of MBA and social work programs helped her recognize her true calling in counseling. Since entering the field, she has worked across diverse settings, including BJC HealthCare, San Tan Behavioral Health Services, and Chamberlain University, where she developed expertise in adolescent and adult therapy, program coordination, and clinical team leadership.
Beyond her clinical work, Ebony is committed to community empowerment and advocacy. She founded the Giving Life Movement and Giving Life, Inc., nonprofit initiatives designed to inspire engagement, provide resources, and support underserved populations. Ebony has been recognized in publications like St. Louis Voyage and the St. Louis American for her leadership, community impact, and innovative approach to mental health. She centers her work on fostering resilience, healing, and personal growth for both her clients and the broader community.
• Board Certified Counselor
• Nationally Board Certified Counselor
• Webster University- M.A.
• Missouri State University- B.S.
• Featured in St. Louis American
• Featured in St. Louis Voyage
• Dean's List
• Multicultural Leadership Scholarship Recipient
• Inspiring Positive Change Mentoring Ministry
• The Covering House
• Circles for Girls
• God's Chosen Bible Study
• Pregnancy Care Center of Springfield, MO Run/Walk
• March of Dimes
• Girls and Boys Town Shelter
• Missouri State University
• Boys and Girls Club
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to finding my true calling in mental health counseling. My journey started at a high school reunion when a friend encouraged me to apply to Webster University's clinical mental health program. I had tried other paths like an MBA and social work at YSU, but nothing felt right. When I applied to counseling, I got in immediately, and it just felt like it was meant to be. The accelerated program was challenging at times, but for the most part it was easy, smooth, and felt so natural. That's when I fell in love with mental health and counseling. I'm passionate about being a thought leader in the mental health field and bringing awareness to mental health and wellness. My success comes from that passion and love for helping others, and from seeing my clients grow, evolve, and achieve mental wellness, which is the most rewarding and greatest thing for me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can build a career in a field that creates meaningful change and positively impacts the lives of others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is: you can do it—make a difference, become a thought leader, and champion mental wellness both in your community and around the world.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is balancing the demand to support everyone who needs help while also making time for personal self-care and family.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is making a difference in the lives of others. Seeing my clients grow, evolve, and achieve mental wellness is the most rewarding and greatest thing for me. Beyond my clinical work, I'm deeply committed to my nonprofit, Giving Life Inc., which I founded in 2018. Through this organization, we adopt families for the holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, and we provide assistance with housing applications and deposits to support our community. In my personal life, I love spending time with my family and my husband. I also value taking care of myself through working out, and I'm starting to enjoy cooking more, which has become a new way for me to nurture my family. Balancing my passion for helping others through my counseling work and nonprofit with quality time for my loved ones and self-care is what matters most to me.