Today we’d like to introduce you to Hope Smith.
Hi Hope, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Becoming a counselor was not my original plan. I began my college career at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as a film studies major, fully intending to pursue a career in the film industry. During my freshman year, however, I took an introductory psychology course. And everything changed. I was immediately drawn to the subject in a way I hadn’t anticipated.
Although I had always quietly considered counseling as a possible path, largely because of my love for helping and connecting with others, I never imagined it would truly become my career. After earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology, my husband and I moved to Georgia, where I pursued my master’s degree in school counseling. I knew I wanted to work with children and was deeply motivated by the idea of supporting them in a meaningful, lasting way.
Working as a school counselor proved to be both incredibly rewarding and profoundly challenging. The role pushed me to grow in ways I never expected, both professionally and personally, teaching me the importance of boundaries, self-advocacy, and resilience. While I found the work fulfilling, I also began to sense a calling toward something more specialized. That calling led me to play therapy. Although I was familiar with the model at a surface level, I had never explored it in depth. In what felt like perfect timing, I was introduced to Laura Hafner, a phenomenal child-centered play therapist at Connected Counseling and Wellness. At the time, I could not have imagined that this meeting would lead to her becoming my supervisor and mentor, taking me under her wing and deeply shaping my clinical work.
In 2025, I made the difficult but meaningful decision to step away from education and fully immerse myself in private practice. I was invited to join the team at Connected Counseling and Wellness, where I now have the privilege of serving children as young as four, as well as preteens and adolescents. Looking back, each step, expected or not, has led me exactly where I am meant to be, reinforcing my belief that the most meaningful paths often unfold in ways we never initially plan.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey to where I am today has not exactly been a smooth one. There have been many bumps and barriers along the way. School counseling was a challenging field, largely because the role is often ambiguous and, at times, misunderstood or misused. Navigating those expectations while trying to stay grounded in the true purpose of the work was difficult and, at times, exhausting.
That said, I wouldn’t change that path for anything. Working within the school system allowed me to gain a strong educational background and a deeper understanding of child development, learning environments, and the systems that shape children’s daily lives. That foundation has proven invaluable in my work as a counselor, particularly when supporting children and collaborating with families and schools.
Those challenges also forced me to grow in ways I never expected. They helped me uncover strengths I didn’t know I had and pushed me to recognize my own worth, not just as a professional, but as a person. Through that experience, I learned the importance of advocating for myself, setting boundaries, and believing that I deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Those lessons continue to shape the counselor I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of Connected Counseling and Wellness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor at Connected Counseling and Wellness, a private practice dedicated to providing thoughtful, compassionate, and holistic therapeutic care. We currently have locations in Alpharetta and Cumming, and also offer telehealth services, allowing us to meet clients where they are. At the core of our practice is a commitment to overall wellness and a deep respect for the whole person, not just the challenges that bring someone to therapy.
I am currently under the supervision of Laura Hafner, one of the founders of Connected Counseling and Wellness, whose mentorship has been instrumental in my professional growth. My work primarily focuses on children and adolescents, supporting them through concerns such as anxiety, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and life transitions.
In recent months, I have immersed myself in Child-Centered Play Therapy, a non-directive therapeutic approach that allows children to express themselves and process experiences at their own pace. This model is strikingly different from my previous work as a school counselor, where services were often short-term, goal-focused, and necessarily directive. In private practice, I have come to deeply appreciate the power of play as a child’s natural language, an avenue through which they can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without pressure or rush.
As my understanding of child development has continued to grow, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact this approach can have. The growth and emotional shifts I see in my clients are meaningful and lasting, and some of the most fulfilling moments in my work come from hearing parents share how their child is becoming more confident, regulated, and authentically themselves.
While play therapy is often associated with younger children, one of its most beautiful aspects is its adaptability. I integrate play-based and person-centered approaches into my work with older children and adolescents as well, meeting each client in a way that feels developmentally appropriate and emotionally safe.
What I am most proud of, both personally and brand-wise, is being part of a practice that values authenticity, curiosity, and connection. I want readers to know that Connected Counseling and Wellness is a place where children and families are truly seen, supported, and empowered to grow—at their own pace, and in their own way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has played a significant role in my life and career, particularly through the people I’ve crossed paths with at just the right time. One of the most pivotal moments came when I reached out to Lindsey Mart, cofounder of Connected Counseling and Wellness, in 2024 to inquire about supervision. Lindsey was gracious and open to taking me on as a supervisee, but during our conversation she learned that I was especially interested in working with children and exploring play therapy.
She suggested that I connect with Laura Hafner, and that single introduction changed the course of my professional life. Meeting Laura led to mentorship, supervision, and a deep immersion into Child-Centered Play Therapy, a model that aligns so closely with who I am as a counselor and as a person. What initially felt like a simple conversation turned into an opportunity that shaped my clinical approach, expanded my confidence, and ultimately led me to where I am today. Looking back, it feels like a perfect example of how luck often shows up as timing, openness, and the willingness of others to see potential and help guide you forward.
Pricing:
- 45 minutes Individual Session : $135.00
- Therapy Intake: $165.00
- Self-Pay Practice
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.connectedcw.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehopefulcounselor?igsh=MWJnemJza3FwZjRibg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/hope-smith-339ab362
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1502812
