Teaching that goes somewhere.
I bring nearly 30 years of pastoral, clinical, and coaching experience into every talk and workshop — grounded in real therapeutic work, real relationships, and my own ongoing journey.
My Approach
Who I Speak For
The best teaching doesn't just inform. Rather, it invites people into something. A different way of seeing themselves, their relationships, or the hard things they're carrying.
I speak from the intersection of theology, psychology, and philosophy — drawing on nearly 30 years of clinical practice, pastoral ministry, and my own personal work. I don’t teach from a distance. The topics I bring to a room are topics I have lived — anxiety, forgiveness, restoration, the slow and often painful work of becoming more fully yourself.
Whether it's a Sunday morning message, a leadership workshop, a marriage retreat, or a conference keynote, I meet people where they are and give them something real to take home.
Churches & ministries · Marriage retreats & intensives · Recovery ministries · Ministry leadership teams · Therapy & counseling conferences · Corporate & organizational events · Universities & seminaries
Topics and Workshops
Anxiety — An Invitation to Grow
Talk · Workshop · Retreat
Most people relate to anxiety as an enemy to be defeated. I reframe it entirely as a coping behavior, a signal pointing toward something deeper, and ultimately an invitation to grow. Drawing from my book The Anxious Christian and the Turning from Anxiety model, this talk helps people understand what's actually driving their anxiety and find a path toward real healing rather than endless management. Available in faith contexts with theological depth, or in secular contexts with a clinical focus.
Living from Peace, Not Pain
Talk · Workshop
All of us carry patterns — coping behaviors shaped by violations of love and trust that go back further than we realize. This talk helps audiences identify the pain patterns driving their behavior and discover the empowering truths and intentional practices that move them toward a transformed life. Accessible for general audiences, with depth for those ready to go further.
Forgiveness and Restoration
Talk · Workshop · Retreat
Forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood concepts in both faith and therapy. It's not minimizing what happened. It's not reconciliation. And it's not something you can simply decide to do. This talk explores what forgiveness actually is, and isn't. And what genuine restoration in relationships looks like when it's grounded in love and trust, and the slow work of healing.
Restoration Therapy and Relate Strong
Workshop · Training · Leadership Retreat
For churches, ministry leaders, and organizations wanting to understand the Restoration Therapy framework or implement RelateStrong principles in their community. These are longer-format, interactive workshops, not just presentations. Participants leave with a clear understanding of love and trust, the pain and peace cycle, and practical tools for building healthier relational cultures.
Interested in having Rhett speak?
Reach out and tell me a little about your event — the audience, the format, and what you're hoping people walk away with. I'd love to have a conversation about whether it's a good fit.
Email: rhett@rhettsmith.com
Call/text: (469) 304-9022
I'll follow up within one business day.