OUR STORY
Transforming Lives Through Compassionate Care
Creating a space where you can feel listened to, heard, validated, and truly seen.
Our founder, Briana Smith, LMFT, discovered her calling in the mental health field through her own journey of understanding the transformative power of therapy.
Briana's passion for helping others began early, but it was during her time at YMCA OZ as a Resident Supervisor that she truly understood the impact of providing safe spaces for healing. Working with at-risk youth in residential treatment, she witnessed firsthand how the right support, at the right time, could change the trajectory of someone's life. This experience ignited a deep commitment to creating environments where individuals could process their emotions, build resilience, and reclaim their sense of self.
Her educational journey took her through Point Loma Nazarene University, where she earned her B.A. in Therapeutic and Community Psychology and Industrial-Organizational Psychology, followed by her M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University, and further training in Education-School Counseling from Alliant International University.
OUR MISSION & PHILOSOPHY
At Be Seen Therapy, we believe that healing happens in a relationship between you and your therapist.
Our mission is to empower individuals and transform lives through compassionate care, creating a space where every person can feel listened to, heard, validated, and truly seen.
From those early days working with at-risk youth, Briana's path has been one of continuous growth and deepening expertise.
She expanded her experience working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through the Coalition for Family Harmony, where she co-facilitated support groups and collaborated with law enforcement and child protective services.
Her journey continued through various therapeutic settings - from being the Assistant Clinical Director at Reconnect Integrative Trauma Treatment Center, to working with substance use and trauma at Lido Wellness Center, to serving traumatized individuals at La Ventana Treatment Center. Each experience deepened her understanding of trauma's complex nature and reinforced her belief in the healing power of connection and compassion.
A pivotal moment came when Briana began working as a professor at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. Teaching aspiring therapists foundational tools and skills reminded her of her own passion for giving back to the therapeutic community. This role reinforced her belief that healing happens in relationship - not just between therapist and client, but within the broader community of mental health professionals supporting one another. Now, as an EMDR Approved Consultant, Briana continues this commitment to professional development by training her employees to become EMDR certified, ensuring that Be Seen Therapy maintains the highest standards of trauma-informed care while fostering the growth of skilled clinicians.
The transition to private practice was a natural evolution, driven by a desire to create the kind of therapeutic environment Briana had always envisioned - one where clients could truly be themselves, explore their deepest concerns, and embark on meaningful healing journeys without the constraints often found in larger institutional settings.
Our Core Beliefs
→ Everyone Deserves to Be Seen
We believe that at the heart of healing lies the fundamental human need to be witnessed and understood. In our therapeutic space, your experiences, emotions, and struggles are not just acknowledged - they are honored.
→ Trauma-Informed Care
We understand that many of life's challenges stem from difficult experiences. Our approach is grounded in trauma-informed principles, recognizing how past experiences shape present realities while focusing on resilience and post-traumatic growth.
→ Healing is a Collaborative Journey
We view therapy as a partnership. You are the expert on your own life, and we bring our clinical expertise to walk alongside you as you navigate your path toward growth and healing.
→ Holistic Understanding
We recognize that mental health affects not just the mind, but the whole person. Our approach considers how your relationships, life transitions, cultural background, and personal history all contribute to your current experience.
→ A Safe Space for All
We are committed to creating an environment where people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences can feel safe to explore, grow, and heal. This includes specialized care for LGBTQIA+ individuals, neurodivergent clients, people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who have experienced religious trauma. We understand that systemic oppression and cultural factors can impact mental health, and we approach therapy with cultural humility and awareness.
OUR PROCESS & APPROACH TO HELPING CLIENTS
Our Therapeutic Framework
Our approach is integrative, drawing from evidence-based practices while honoring the unique needs of each individual. We specialize in several key modalities:
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
We use this powerful, research-backed approach to help process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact. EMDR allows the brain to heal from psychological trauma naturally, helping you move from surviving to thriving.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
For couples and individuals, EFT helps identify and transform negative patterns in relationships, fostering deeper connection and emotional safety.
Somatic Therapy
We recognize that trauma and stress are stored in the body, not just the mind. Through somatic approaches, we help you reconnect with your body's wisdom and release tension, allowing for deeper healing and emotional regulation.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
We integrate these approaches to help you develop practical skills for managing emotions, improving relationships, and changing unhelpful thought patterns.
Parts Work
We understand that we all have different parts of ourselves - the inner critic, the people pleaser, the protector. Through parts work, we help you develop a compassionate relationship with all aspects of yourself, leading to greater self-acceptance and internal harmony.
What to Expect in Our Work Together
→ Initial Consultation
We begin with a comprehensive evaluation of your needs, taking time to understand your goals and what brought you to therapy. This collaborative process helps us create an initial treatment plan tailored specifically to you
→ Building Safety & Trust
We prioritize creating a therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, understood, and accepted. This foundation is essential for all meaningful therapeutic work.
→ Skills & Growth
We'll help you develop new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating to yourself and others. This might include emotional regulation skills, communication techniques, trauma processing work, or EMDR resourcing (if appropriate).
→ Exploring & Processing
Together, we'll explore your experiences, emotions, and patterns. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, or life transitions, we'll work to understand the deeper roots while developing practical coping strategies.
→ Integration & Moving Forward
As you grow and heal, we'll focus on integrating these changes into your daily life, helping you build resilience and confidence in your ability to handle future challenges.
Our Specialties Include:
✔ Trauma & PTSD
✔ Anxiety & Depression
✔ Relationship & Couples Therapy
✔ Life Transitions & Adjustment
✔ Grief & Loss
✔ Anger Empowerment
✔ Religious Trauma
✔ LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy
✔ Neurodivergent-Affirming Care
✔ Therapy for Therapists
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
At Be Seen Therapy, we understand that taking the first step toward healing can feel overwhelming.
We believe that finding the right therapeutic fit is essential for successful treatment.
Whether you're dealing with past trauma, navigating current challenges, or simply seeking personal growth, we're here to walk alongside you. Our team of experienced, compassionate therapists is committed to providing the highest quality care in a space where you can truly be yourself.
We believe that you deserve not just to survive, but to thrive. You deserve to feel supported, and empowered to create the life you want. Most importantly, you deserve to be seen - not just for your struggles, but for your strength, resilience, and inherent worth.
WHERE HEALING BEGINS WITH FEELING TRULY SEEN