Christi Venable
LPC, NCC
Christi Venable is an award-winning Business Owner, Organizational Leadership, and Culture Change Expert and Speaker. She’s the founder of SMILE Therapy Services, a multi-million-dollar mental health agency that she managed to build from the ground up. SMILE Therapy Services is committed to providing top-notch mental health services that help people heal and lead happier lives through transformative counseling — one person, one spirit, and one smile at a time.
In 2020, Christi was awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Businessperson of the Year for Washington, D.C. In 2022, SMILE Therapy was named one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States by Inc. 5000. That same year, Christi was honored as an Enterprising Women of the Year awardee. As a minority and women-owned company, she’s proud to be certified with WBENC, 8a, and NMSDC.
Today, Christi employs more than 15 therapists -- all people of color – while continuing to serve individuals, school systems, and Fortune 500 organizations. As a leadership and culture expert, she’s now helping top leaders improve their culture so they can increase employee wellness and retention and build a happy workforce. No matter the industry, you can count on Christi’s team to weave in leadership training focused on dynamic topics such as emotional intelligence, productivity, and effective communication. SMILE Therapy staff have been leading facilitators in the mental health and wellness arena since its foundation in 2015. Over the years, SMILE Therapy has developed an arsenal of workshops that speak to the needs of a diverse market and an ever-changing social climate. Some of the most sought-after topics include Leading with Effective Communication, Leveraging your Leadership Style, Mental Health Spot-Checking, Sexual Harassment, Resiliency, Self-Care, and Stress Management, The Power of Patience, and many more.
Christi received her undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University and her master’s degree from George Washington University. Christi Venable is a National Certified Counselor, A Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.
Day 2 Session 5A - Anti-Oppressive Practices: Utilizing Culturally Competent Adaptations to Provide Evidenced-Based Care within the Black and Brown Community
As mental health concerns rise people of all demographics are seeking care. As stigma continues to persist, those who dare to take the brave step to seek out therapy need to be met with culturally responsive evidence based practices.
While our stories might be similar or different due to the location, ethnicity, culture, and other intersectional identities, it is important that Therapists maintain cultural humility. Therapists have a unique disposition and yet still are not protected against unconscious bias. They too could be susceptible to the inherent racism and challenges among inequality in research on evidenced based best practices and underlying oppressive practices.
While BIPOC populations were not initially accounted for in researched evidence based practices, it is essential that we adapt our learned practices to provide the highest level of care. During this training therapists will be provided information on Anti-Oppressive Practices, learn how to use evidenced based practices within the context of culturally adapted interventions, and understand how to measure progress. As we work to improve therapeutic systems and break barriers it is essential that we remain: Anti Oppressive and Culturally Adaptive.
ClinicianFest By The Numbers
ClinicianFest is a 503c organization. Proceeds from ClinicianFest are used to fund the co-pays of those in need of mental health services but unable to afford such services in their entirety. We partner with over 216 vendors, agencies, private practitioners, and community support programs to support aid in communities with scarce mental healthcare access and resources. To date, we have assisted over 1100 clients in getting the care and aid they need on their journey.
