I'm Elise Smithmier, founder of Pinewood Therapy.

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I could tell you how much I love to be in nature, drink coffee, and play with my dogs, and while those things are wholeheartedly true, they don’t tell you anything about who I am as a human or as a therapist. 

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I’m not a “rainbows and unicorns” person. I don’t believe in spending money, time, and energy for me to tell you what you want to hear. I’m not fancy or quiet or scared to tell you what I’m thinking. I’m a real human whose been through real shit.

 

I’m a recovering perfectionist and always will be. 

I’ve thought about taking my life.

I’m an anxious human whose been frozen with panic.

I’m a survivor of sexual and emotional abuse.

I’m a victim to my inner critic.

I’ve risked everything to pursue my dreams.

I’ve questioned my worth too many times to count.

 

But most importantly, I’m a human who gives a damn about you and what you’re going through because I’ve been there too.