Finding Your Way Forward
With Dr. Brad Smith
Life has a way of getting complicated. Whether you're navigating something painful, feeling stuck, or just sensing that something needs to change, Brad Smith is someone you can talk to.
Brad works with people through counseling, one-on-one coaching, and creative writing workshops. Whatever brought you here, he'll meet you where you are. No agenda, no pressure. Just honest conversation, careful listening, and practical guidance to help you figure out your next step.
Not sure which service is the right fit? Reach out. Brad's happy to talk it through.
Meet Brad Smith
Brad Smith is a lot of things: a former college professor, a published poet, a high school football coach, and someone people have been coming to for honest conversation for most of his adult life. He works with individuals, teens, and families as a counselor, coach, and creative writing instructor.
He earned an MFA from the University of Texas at Austin and a PhD in English from the University of Missouri, where he focused on poetry. He has taught creative writing and literature at the college level, including at Truman State University, and has spent years leading writing workshops built around reflection, real feedback, and genuine community.
Over time, Brad's work moved beyond the classroom. The conversations he was already having with students, athletes, and young people in his ministry work made it clear that his real gift was helping people think through hard things. That's what he does now, formally, through counseling, one-on-one coaching, and creative writing workshops.
He's a good listener. He gives good advice. And whether you're working through something personal, trying to finish a book, or raising a kid who won't talk to you, he has a way of helping people see their situation a little more clearly.
Youth Counseling
Being young has always been hard. But today, with social media, academic pressure, and the constant noise of figuring out who you are, it can feel genuinely overwhelming. Most kids just need someone who will actually listen and take what they're going through seriously.
That's what Brad does. Working with kids, teens, and young adults, he offers a steady, nonjudgmental space to talk through the hard stuff, build confidence, and figure out who they are and where they're going.
Adult Counseling
Life has a way of getting complicated. Relationships get strained. Old patterns keep showing up. Questions about purpose and meaning start feeling harder to ignore. Sometimes what you need isn't a diagnosis or a treatment plan. You just need a steady, thoughtful person to help you see your situation more clearly.
That's what Brad does.
Bright House Writers
Most writers don't lack ideas. They lack structure, accountability, and people who actually get it. That's what Bright House Writers is for.
These monthly workshops bring together writers of all levels for honest feedback, real deadlines, and a community that takes the work seriously. Your first session is free.
One-on-One Coaching
Most writers know what they want to write. What they don't always know is where to start, how to push through the middle, or what to do when the whole thing starts to feel too big to finish.
That's exactly what these sessions are for. Just you and Brad, focused entirely on your project, at whatever stage it's in.