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Christia'n Griffin
About
Hello and welcome! I'm so glad you're here. My name is Christia'n Smith, and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) licensed in Maryland and Washington, D.C. I have experience providing individual therapy to adults navigating a variety of mental health concerns, and I am especially passionate about supporting individuals with neurodivergent identities, including autistic adults and individuals with ADHD.
As a therapist, I believe that healing begins in a space where you feel safe, accepted, and genuinely understood. I strive to create a warm, collaborative, and judgment-free environment where you can show up as your authentic self without fear of criticism or pressure to fit someone else's expectations. My approach is neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based, recognizing that every individual brings unique perspectives, abilities, and experiences.
Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, emotional regulation challenges, life transitions, relationships, or simply trying to better understand yourself, my goal is to partner with you in developing practical tools, increasing self-awareness, and building a life that aligns with your values. I believe therapy should leave you feeling empowered, supported, and confident in your ability to navigate life's challenges while embracing who you are.
My passion for working with autistic and neurodivergent individuals comes from a genuine belief that everyone deserves to be understood, accepted, and supported for who they are—not who they are expected to be. Throughout my career providing therapy and behavioral health services, I've seen how many neurodivergent individuals have spent years feeling misunderstood, masking their authentic selves, or trying to fit into environments that weren't designed with their needs in mind. I believe therapy should be a place where that burden can be set down.
I chose to specialize in working with neurodivergent clients because I value the unique ways people think, communicate, learn, and experience the world. I am passionate about providing neurodiversity-affirming care that focuses on recognizing strengths, honoring individual differences, and helping clients build lives that align with their values rather than societal expectations. My goal is not to change who you are, but to help you better understand yourself, navigate challenges with confidence, and develop strategies that support your well-being in ways that work for you.
It is truly a privilege to walk alongside my clients as they embrace their identities, build self-compassion, strengthen relationships, and discover the confidence to thrive as their authentic selves.
My approach to therapy is rooted in the belief that every individual already possesses unique strengths, abilities, and resilience. Rather than focusing on changing who you are, I work collaboratively with you to better understand how you experience the world, identify what already works well for you, and build upon those strengths to help you achieve your goals. I believe that growth comes from self-understanding, self-acceptance, and having the right support—not from trying to fit into someone else's definition of success.
I provide neurodiversity-affirming, person-centered care that recognizes and celebrates neurological differences while honoring each client's unique identity, communication style, sensory needs, and lived experiences. My role is to create a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where you feel empowered to be your authentic self without the pressure to mask or conform.
I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), integrating these evidence-based approaches to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while developing practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and everyday problem-solving. I tailor these approaches to meet each client's individual needs, recognizing that therapy is most effective when it respects each person's unique way of thinking, learning, and processing the world.
Together, we'll build practical strategies that align with your strengths, values, and daily life while fostering greater self-awareness, confidence, emotional well-being, and meaningful connection. My hope is that you leave each session feeling heard, respected, empowered, and equipped with tools that help you thrive on your own terms.
