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I started my journey of blogging in 2003 — mostly to capture what I called “transitioning life’s journey”.
In 2023 I took a 3 year break from blogging, but have decided to return to it. I hope you enjoy.
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Rhett Smith 117: The Creation Account, Self-Differentiation and Restoration Therapy
This episode is somewhat of a continuation of Episode 115 where I reflected both theologically and psychologically on the biblical text found in Genesis 1-3 (and a little of 4). Those opening chapters have lots of insight and implications for us relationally. In this episode I want to pick up on some of those themes, […]
Rhett Smith 116: Reframing How We Talk About Anxiety and Depression
I had the opportunity this last Monday to record a video on anxiety with another therapist, and one of the pastors at Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco. And then a few hours later, I talked to a group of parents at Legacy Christian Academy in Frisco about anxiety and depression. It’s obvious that anxiety […]
Rhett Smith 115: Some Relational Reflections on Genesis 1-4 (at the intersection of theology and psychology)
As I mentioned in a previous podcast, I thought I would take some time this year (on occasion) to stop and reflect on my reading of the bible, and how it connects at the intersection of theology and psychology. So in this episode I want to take some time and just reflect on Genesis 1-4 […]
Rhett Smith 114: Journals, Goal Setting, and a New Season of Podcasts
It’s been about 5 months since my last podcast episode, as I was needing to take a break for a while why I focused on some other goals. But it’s time for a new podcast season, and in this episode I talk about some new topics I am going to explore this season, as well […]
Rhett Smith 113: Letting the Silence Unfold Between You and Others
“Love consists in this, that two solitudes, protect and border and salute each other.” — Rainer Maria Rilke A couple of weeks ago my wife and I returned from a “marriage adventure” on the Inca Trail in Peru. This adventure (through WinShape and Intrepid), led us for four days and 3 nights hiking along […]
Rhett Smith 112: God “Intermingles” All Things Together for Good
As many of you know from listening to my podcasts, or reading my blog over the years, is I’m pretty obsessed with the novels of Susan Howatch. Particularly her Starbridge Series of which I’m about to finish my 9th reading of the series in the last 15 years. It’s that impactful and transforming in my […]
Rhett Smith 111: People Are Complex, So Don’t Judge
“I’d like to know more, of course, but I’ve accepted that there’s nothing more he has to say; I’ve accepted that there’s a limit on our knowledge of even those who are closest to us. The older one gets the more one realises how saturated life is in mystery, and the biggest mystery of all, […]
Restoration Therapy: A Concise Road Map and a Simple Tool Leads to Transformation of Anxiety and Depression
“I want to create a clear roadmap for you for next steps, and how we can go about creating change in our therapeutic work together.” “You don’t need a bunch of tools to practice. You just need one or two that you practice over and over and over again.” Two Mistakes Often Made in Therapy […]
Restoration Therapy: The Resonance Between RT and Performance Coaching in Managing Anxiety
On the night of October 18, 2015 I was unable to sleep. I tossed and turned all night, my mind filled with anxious thoughts, and an anxiety that I was unable to shake. The reason for all this anxiety was that at 7:00 am on October 19th, I would be running my first 50 mile […]
Restoration Therapy: My Journey to RT and Its Unique Position to Help Those Struggling with Anxiety and Depression
The Hideaway Experience In October 2010 I was sitting “third chair” at The Hideaway Experience in Amarillo, TX. The Hideaway Experience is a four-day marriage intensive that I had decided to go check out after hearing about it from a colleague of mine. My colleague had started doing marriage intensives with them and he couldn’t […]
Restoration Therapy: Depression and Low Emotional Affect
I have written extensively on various ways to work with people who are struggling with anxiety, but I find that working with people who are struggling with depression, to be quite different, and more difficult. The main factor that I have experienced is in the level of energy that one emanates, and, therefore, what the […]
Restoration Therapy: The 4 Steps of RT and How to Implement Them in Work on Depression
Discerning Depression I have written extensively on anxiety, especially on my own anxiety, focusing on the roots of it and how Restoration Therapy has really helped me transform it into a life-giving force. But when it comes to depression I have not written as much on the topic because it is something that I am […]
Restoration Therapy: Depression and the Bible
Often, when someone expresses anxiety in the context of the Church or Christian community, more than likely they will hear somebody, at some point, recite the famous words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:6. “Do not be anxious….” is the beginning of that verse, and it’s also the beginning for many people with anxiety […]
Restoration Therapy: Tools, Resources and Strategies for Working with Depression
The Depression Equation I am a big believer in the equation that insight + practice = transformation. In fact, in an earlier post on anxiety I shared the same equation, highlighting Angela Duckworth’s work on the concept of deliberate practice in her work. In her book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, she writes […]
Restoration Therapy: Reframing Depression as an Opportunity for Growth
Reframing Depression “What if this depression you are experiencing is helping inform you about your life? What if we listen to it together, it may give us some clues about what is going on with your life. Maybe it will give us some direction about what kind of changes we need to make.” If you […]
Restoration Therapy: Identifying the Underlying Emotions of Depression
What Is Underneath Depression Like anxiety, one of the most difficult aspects of depression is trying to figure out what are the underlying roots of it. But without properly identifying its underlying roots it’s possible that one may see depression simply as a feeling, rather than as a symptom of some deeper feeling. And if […]
Restoration Therapy: Depression, Self-Care, and Ministry
When serving in ministry there are many opportunities to come in to contact with people who are depressed. I say this, because churches are often what I refer to as the “gatekeepers” in mental health, therefore, those employed or volunteering in ministry are often on the front lines. All of this assumes of course that […]
Restoration Therapy: Trying to Define Depression
“Are you depressed?” I asked him in session. “Depressed? What…..depression? No, I’m not depressed.” he said to me as if that was a crazy question to ask. There was some silence between us for what seemed like a few minutes, and then he said. “Well…I mean, I may have a bad day now and then, […]
Restoration Therapy: How Looking for Opportunities to Practice Through Your Anxiety Can Transform You
When I encourage people to look for opportunities to practice their anxiety, I am often given a blank stare in return. It almost sounds crazy to ask someone to practice something that is already at times, making them feel like they are crazy. But perhaps a better way to say it is, that I am […]