Life & Work with Domonique L. Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Domonique L. Smith.

Hi Domonique, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. If I could give my story a title, I’d call it: “From Millennial Homemaker to Mental Health World Changer” Ever since I was a little girl as early as elementary school, I would have a mic in my hand to some capacity of speaking and sharing encouragement. In 2014, I went through a challenging period in my life where I faced significant personal struggles. Although it was a difficult journey, it ultimately led me to grow, learn, and discover my resilience. In the same year, I decided to finally surrender my life to God to heal and discover my life’s purpose. That particular phase in my life marked a significant turning point, a pivotal moment that reshaped my entire trajectory. The journey of self-discovery began, and this is when the feelings of peace, contentment, and hope that I was searching for was rekindled. I met my husband two years later during a period when I was fully immersed in purpose-driven work. We dated for nine months, tied the knot two months later, and now, we are blessed with a family of three beautiful children celebrating 6 years married in July. 

If someone would have told me that for almost 5 years, I would be a Full-time Stay-At-Home mother while going back to school, surely, I would have doubted it was a part of my journey. I reflect now and realize that becoming a young wife and mother placed me in a cocoon-like season. My purpose in that early season was to heal, grow and learn how to operate as the new Woman that I was becoming. I came alive to the gifts, skills, and goals that I put on the shelf. A fire burned within me to rise up and ride the wave of marriage and motherhood. My biggest learning lesson was becoming a mother didn’t have to postpone giving birth to the purpose and dreams that were inside of me; the two could exist simultaneously. So, I wanted to ride those waves of marriage and motherhood without losing sight of who I was and what I was created to do. Because there were some seasons when I would get lost. My husband spoke life over my dream of going back to school and obtaining my degrees in Social Work. The core of who I am has always been an advocate. Reconnecting with the field of Social Work has opened doors to larger-scale opportunities and access to bigger rooms that were previously invisible to me during those difficult seasons of my life. I may

not have been able to see my right now back then, but the flame that set ablaze did not burn me; it birthed a new level of life. I get to actively break generational curses in my family, build generational wealth and allow my light to shine that others may know God did all of this! My mission as a Trauma-Focused Therapist, Mental Health Speaker, and Community Coordinator is to lead millennial women out of bondage to their past childhood traumas into a life of inner healing, self-love, and purpose. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Along the way, I’ve encountered moments of burnout, discouragement, and isolation. Questioning if I could truly “do it all.” I had to redefine what “Balancing” the demands of attending undergraduate and graduate school while being pregnant and a full-time stay-at-home mom looked like for me. Juggling multiple responsibilities required so much determination, sacrifice, and the ability to prioritize effectively. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wear many hats, each one intricately connected to the calling on my life. The work that I had been doing is as a Full-Time Stay-At-Home Mom for almost 5 years now. Our family grew from two to five within 4 years. As a Clinical Therapist, my primary focus is to help millennial women address the wounded inner child within themselves and break patterns and cycles of trauma that have been passed down through generations. I firmly believe that by addressing these wounds, I can empower women to create healthier lives, break generational cycles of hurting parents, hurting their children. I gain so much fulfillment in witnessing the transformative journey of millennial women as they gain insight, increased self-love, develop resilience, and create safer relationships with themselves and others. 

As a Mental Health Consultant & Facilitator of my new business, Sacred Hope Wellness, I create and deliver transformative mental health workshops, webinars, workbooks, and programs specifically designed to support millennial women in

embarking on their unique healing journeys. We aim to guide them out of survival mode and into a place of safety, where they can heal, love, and thrive. Through our programs, we provide the tools, resources, and support needed to navigate their personal healing process and create a life of fulfillment and well-being. Our goal is to empower millennial women to embrace their inner strength, cultivate self-love, and create a foundation for lasting positive change. As a Community Outreach Coordinator for the city of Novi, the mission is to empower the youth and grow healthier communities. 

I am most known for being an authentic and inspirational voice amongst the millennial generation echoing encouragement, truth with love, and faith. I take immense gratitude in being a young wife and mother to three children, ages 3 and under. Despite the challenges and responsibilities that come with pregnancy, child birthing, and raising a family, I successfully managed to prioritize my education and achieve my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. With my end educational goal being to obtain my Doctorate degree in Social Work. I give God all the glory for His plans and grace to do so, alongside the sacrificial support from my husband. Living my life unapologetically is a special piece of my journey that I am also proud of. I have embraced my God-given calling and have chosen to pursue it wholeheartedly. If I ever look back, it is to reflect on growth and healing that occurred along the way. I recognize that my purpose lies in making a positive impact on the lives of others, helping them heal, empowering them to live authentically, and helping to find purpose. And lastly, my own resilience. I have faced numerous challenges throughout my life: grief of losing loved ones and friendships, dysfunctional family burdens, isolation, being misunderstood, and I have not only overcome that but also actively worked so hard to break the generational cycles that have impacted my family and me. I decided that it stops with me. 

My boldness and refusal to conform to societal norms set me apart. I embrace my worth and confidently chart my own path as a Pioneer for all things promised by God to myself and the generations to come. 

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
My faith and authenticity are fundamental elements that contribute to my success. Grounded in my faith, I approach every aspect of my life with purpose and integrity. This unwavering commitment allows me to navigate challenges with resilience, maintain a positive outlook, and consistently make choices aligned

with my values. By embracing my authentic self, I bring a unique perspective and genuine connection to everything I do. It’s sort of a non-negotiable. My relatability allows me to connect with others on a genuine level, fostering trust and creating meaningful connections. Leadership comes naturally to me, as I empower and inspire those around me to reach their full potential. Empathy enables me to understand and support others with compassion, creating a nurturing environment for growth and collaboration. These qualities not only drive my personal growth but also inspire others to embrace their own truth and unleash their full potential. That’s what I am about! 

Faith, authenticity, leadership, integrity and empathy

Pricing:

• VIP Mental Health Brunch for Women, Saturday July 29, 2023 @ 11 am- 1 pm. Venue We’ve Got Brunch in West Bloomfield Michigan. Themed: A Healed Girl Summer Registration is $47 + Your Meal Selection
• Mental Health Consulting/Coaching (typically range from $97-147)
• Mental Health Workshops & Webinars (typically range from $37-$67)
• Workbooks (Free-$27)
• Mental Health Brunches (typically range from $47-$57)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dleesmith.com 
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/dlee.smith/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/domonique-smith/

Image Credits
Michbruc Multimedia
D.Lee Smith