Christi Venable, M.A.,NCC,LPC
CEO and Founder at SMILE Therapy Services, LLC
Mental Health Care
Education: Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business, BS in Business Management, Concentration: Global Strategies - George Washington University, Graduate School of Education, and Human Development, Master of Education and Human Development in School Counseling
Washington D.C., DC, USA
Biography
Christi Venable is an award-winning Business Owner, Organizational Leadership and Culture Change Expert and Speaker. Christi received her undergraduate degree from The Pennsylvania State University and her master’s degree from George Washington University. 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 Business Person of the Year for Washington D.C. 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, retention and build a happy workforce. No matter the industry, you can count on Christi’s team to weave in leadership trainings focused on emotional intelligence, productivity and effective communication.
Passion
My passion is mental health and wellness, along with teaching and developing black and brown therapist to thrive within our community. 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
Featured Video
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I always get paid for speaking
Topics
Best Story
An interesting story that I might share could be the story of how I founded SMILE Therapy Services from the ground up, the trials and tribulations of being a woman in business, and the success that SMILE has been able to achieve even in the face of adversity.
Origin Story
Raised in Southeast D.C. by a single
mother on welfare, Christi’s story reflects
resilience, faith and incredible drive. After
earning her professional counselor’s
license, Christi began working inside
middle schools as part of her mission
to reduce stigmas on mental health in
the minority community. That’s when
she noticed a widening gap -- a lack of
quality mental health services for those
who need it most. In 2015, she launched
SMILE Therapy Services in Washington D.C.
with one employee -- herself.
Today, Christi employs more than 15
therapists -- all people of color -- while
continuing to serve individuals, school
systems and fortune 500 organizations.