Our Story
Welcome to Sweetgrass Counseling and Consultation, a mental health wellness business co-owned by Dr. Shanieka Smith and Cathy Emerson. Established in 2020 amidst the challenges of the pandemic, our founders bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to fostering mental health wellness within our community.
Dr. Smith
Dr. Shaneika Smith, a proud South Carolina native, has dedicated her career to providing various mental health services in Memphis, TN. Drawing from her rich experiences, she spearheads the counseling arm of Sweetgrass, providing personalized and compassionate support to our clients. Dr. Smith's commitment to fostering mental well-being is evident in every counseling session, where she skillfully navigates the complexities of individual struggles
Dr. Smith is committed to fostering the growth of the mental health profession in Memphis, TN. She achieves this by supporting fellow therapists, guiding them in maintaining a balance between ethical practices and meeting client needs, and emphasizing the importance of therapist authenticity when interacting with clients to ensure a genuine and supportive therapeutic experience.
Cathy Emerson
On the other arm of Sweetgrass’s services, Cathy Emerson, a native of Louisiana, brings over a decade of experience as a School Psychologist in Memphis, TN, placing a significant emphasis on consultation as a fundamental aspect of her work. Within the framework of Sweetgrass Counseling and Consultation, Cathy's proficiency in consultation is integral to our services, ensuring a comprehensive approach to mental health wellness.
Her extensive experience in educational organizations has honed a skill set attuned to understanding the importance of organizational and leadership wellness. Cathy brings a wealth of insight and hands-on experience in understanding how the interaction among staff wellness, and growth influences an organization's overall health and productivity. Her passion for consultation as a means to cultivate skills and foster long-term sustainability contributes to Sweetgrass's distinctive approach to proactive and preventative mental health wellness with the community at large.
The inception of Sweetgrass Counseling and Consultation traces back to a collaborative five-year professional journey between Dr. Smith and Cathy before the establishment of the business. This period fostered a unique kinship that now serves as the bedrock of the business. Their partnership is distinguished by a shared passion for mental health, a commitment to humility and inclusivity, and a robust advocacy for the well-being of our community. These values, coupled with their complementary strengths, are the essence of Sweetgrass Counseling and Consultation, creating an atmosphere that resonates with authenticity and wholehearted dedication to mental health wellness.
Sweetgrass Counseling and Consultation is committed to providing a safe and nurturing space for individuals and organizations on their mental health journey. By integrating counseling and consultation, we address diverse needs, contributing to community well-being. Our belief in collaboration, compassion, and personalized care guides clients on a transformative journey toward mental health wellness. Join us in making a positive impact on the mental health landscape, one individual at a time.