My Story

My Story

Beliefs & Values

My Core Values and Beliefs

You cannot rely on wealth, achievement, or prestige to make you happy. Your greatest potential lies in living in alignment with who you are and what you truly want. Living in this kind of integrity offers you a deeper and more sustainable happiness and allows you to offer your unique gifts to the world.

I believe the world needs you to live in alignment with your values and unfold according to your own unique blueprint. Cultivating a healthy mind and a good relationship with yourself are essential to this process.

The choreographer, Martha Graham, says it best.

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it.”

-Martha Graham

My Experience and Training

1996

After graduating from college with a B.A. in Psychology and English, I went on a months-long solo road trip that taught me how to follow my heart! That same year I completed my first mindfulness meditation retreat, diving in headfirst with ten days of silent practice. Since then, I have accumulated almost 100 days of silent mindfulness retreat experience.

2007

In 2002 I started exploring what Western Psychology can teach us about being healthy and happy. I earned my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver in 2007. I completed my fellowship at the University of CO Health Sciences Center one year later. I also received training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Mindful Self Compassion.

2009

In 2009 I opened my private practice. In 2010 I started a two-year intensive study in Buddhist Psychology and mindfulness. I completed the year-long Integrated Study and Practice Program at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and the year-long Mindfulness and Psychotherapy Certificate Program through the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. I also became a certified Yoga Nidra guide at the Amrit Yoga Institute.

2022

In 2022, I began serving as a sangha guide for the Boulder branch of the Insight Meditation Community of Colorado where I provide meditation and practice guidance to new members.

My Experience and Training

1996

After graduating from college with a B.A. in Psychology and English, I went on a months-long solo road trip that taught me how to follow my heart! That same year I completed my first mindfulness meditation retreat, diving in headfirst with ten days of silent practice. Since then, I have accumulated almost 100 days of silent mindfulness retreat experience.

2007

In 2002 I started exploring what Western Psychology can teach us about being healthy and happy. I earned my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver in 2007. I completed my fellowship at the University of CO Health Sciences Center one year later. I also received training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Mindful Self Compassion.

2009

In 2009 I opened my private practice. In 2010 I started a two-year intensive study in Buddhist Psychology and mindfulness. I completed the year-long Integrated Study and Practice Program at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and the year-long Mindfulness and Psychotherapy Certificate Program through the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. I also became a certified Yoga Nidra guide at the Amrit Yoga Institute.

2022

In 2022, I began serving as a sangha guide for the Boulder branch of the Insight Meditation Community of Colorado where I provide meditation and practice guidance to new members.

Recent Reviews

I am so thankful for Dr. Smith. Not only is she current and up-to-date with her practice, she also gives you incredible tools to use for life. She also incorporates meditation into her practice which is well researched. I highly recommend her. She is one of the best!

August 2022

August 2022

I am a better person today because I worked with Christa.

June 2022

June 2022

I met with Christa for a little over one year, and I could not be more satisfied. She has instilled in me the confidence and self-belief to accept my own thoughts and feelings without judgment. Dr. Smith is easily the best psychologist you can find in the Denver-metro area.

January 2021

January 2021

I could not recommend Dr. Smith enough. She has taught me how to reshape my thoughts and helped me become a better version of myself.

May 2019

May 2019

I worked with Dr Smith for eleven months for help with anxiety and anger. During that time, I was diagnosed with an incurable disease that she also helped me come to terms with and ultimately face head-on. I’ll be grateful to her for a long, long time.

November 2018

November 2018

Free Consultation

Working with me starts with a free 20-minute phone consultation. We'll talk about what you're looking for and I'll tell you whether I think I'm a good fit for you. You can request a consultation online or call, text, or email me to schedule if none of the online options work for you. When new appointments are available, you can also request an appointment online.

Recent Reviews

I am so thankful for Dr. Smith. Not only is she current and up-to-date with her practice, she also gives you incredible tools to use for life. She also incorporates meditation into her practice which is well researched. I highly recommend her. She is one of the best!

August 2022

August 2022

I am a better person today because I worked with Christa.

June 2022

June 2022

I met with Christa for a little over one year, and I could not be more satisfied. She has instilled in me the confidence and self-belief to accept my own thoughts and feelings without judgment. Dr. Smith is easily the best psychologist you can find in the Denver-metro area.

January 2021

January 2021

I could not recommend Dr. Smith enough. She has taught me how to reshape my thoughts and helped me become a better version of myself.

May 2019

May 2019

I worked with Dr Smith for eleven months for help with anxiety and anger. During that time, I was diagnosed with an incurable disease that she also helped me come to terms with and ultimately face head-on. I’ll be grateful to her for a long, long time.

November 2018

November 2018

Free Consultation

Working with me starts with a free 20-minute phone consultation. We'll talk about what you're looking for and I'll tell you whether I think I'm a good fit for you. You can request a consultation online or call, text, or email me to schedule if none of the online options work for you. When new appointments are available, you can also request an appointment online.