Dr. Smith is a clinical psychologist, social worker, and researcher whose lived experiences and professional journey revealed a significant gap in emotional support for communities affected by disaster. Her work blends trauma-informed practice, community-based healing traditions, and accessible education to help individuals regain their emotional footing and rebuild their sense of stability.
She founded Bahali after years of walking alongside individuals navigating trauma and disaster recovery. With Caribbean heritage and deep clinical expertise, she witnessed how often culturally aligned support was missing at the moments people needed it most. Bahali was created to bridge that gap—offering practical tools, culturally grounded care, and compassionate guidance during some of life’s most overwhelming experiences.
Dr. Smith believes that “healing becomes possible when people feel seen, understood, and supported in ways that honor who they are and where they come from.”
a warmer, community-centered tone
Dr. Smith is a clinical psychologist, social worker, and researcher whose own lived experiences shaped her understanding of what communities truly need after crisis. Over the years, she listened to countless stories from people navigating trauma, loss, and uncertainty—and she saw the same gap again and again: families needed emotional support that felt human, culturally familiar, and rooted in community care.
With her Caribbean heritage and deep commitment to collective healing, Dr. Smith founded Bahali as a space where people can feel held, supported, and understood. She envisioned an organization that offers practical tools alongside cultural wisdom, blending trauma-informed care with the traditions, strengths, and resilience of Caribbean communities. Bahali was created to make sure no one has to face their hardest moments alone.
Dr. Smith believes that “healing becomes possible when people feel seen, understood, and supported in ways that honor who they are and where they come from.”
Founder’s Letter
Dear Community,
For as long as I can remember, I have seen how deeply people hurt after crisis—how the emotional wounds linger long after the world believes life has returned to “normal.” I have sat with individuals overwhelmed by loss, families trying to stay strong, and communities searching for a way forward. Through these moments, one truth became impossible to ignore: emotional support is not a luxury in times of crisis—it is a lifeline.
As a clinical psychologist, social worker, and researcher, I’ve spent years helping people navigate trauma and disaster recovery. But my own lived experiences and Caribbean roots have always guided me toward something more. I have seen how healing grows stronger when it is rooted in culture, when it honors community wisdom, and when it feels familiar—like home.
Too often, people are offered care that doesn’t reflect who they are or where they come from. Too often, the voices, traditions, and strengths of Caribbean communities are overlooked in moments when they matter most.
Bahali was created to change that.
I founded Bahali to bridge the space between distress and culturally grounded care. Our mission is simple: to ensure individuals and families have compassionate support, practical tools, and community-centered guidance during some of the hardest moments of their lives. We combine trauma-informed practices with the warmth, resilience, and cultural knowledge that have always carried Caribbean people through adversity.
My hope is that Bahali becomes a place where you feel seen, understood, and supported—a place that reminds you that healing is possible, even when the path feels unclear.
Thank you for being here, for trusting us with your story, and for allowing Bahali to walk alongside you. Together, we can build spaces of peace, strength, and emotional renewal for our communities—wherever we may be across the Caribbean and the diaspora.
With care and solidarity,
Dr. Smith
Founder, Bahali
Dr. Smith is a clinical psychologist, social worker, and researcher whose own lived experiences shaped her understanding of what communities truly need after crisis. Over the years, she listened to countless stories from people navigating trauma, loss, and uncertainty—and she saw the same gap again and again: families needed emotional support that felt human, culturally familiar, and rooted in community care.
With her Caribbean heritage and deep commitment to collective healing, Dr. Smith founded Bahali as a space where people can feel held, supported, and understood. She envisioned an organization that offers practical tools alongside cultural wisdom, blending trauma-informed care with the traditions, strengths, and resilience of Caribbean communities. Bahali was created to make sure no one has to face their hardest moments alone.
Dr. Smith believes that “healing becomes possible when people feel seen, understood, and supported in ways that honor who they are and where they come from.”