Today we’d like to introduce you to Cayce Smith.
Hi Cayce, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I moved back to Nashville after graduating from college in 2017 and jumped into a career in public relations. I loved the work and the fast pace, so it felt like a no-brainer that this was the path I’d stay on. Then COVID happened, and I temporarily relocated to Colorado while working remotely. I thought I’d already surprised myself by moving back to my hometown after undergrad—but that was nothing compared to what was coming.
Somewhere between the mountain air and the existential stillness of lockdown life, I realized I felt called to “do more” career-wise. It wasn’t the easiest pill to swallow—why change paths when I’d worked hard to build the one I was on? But the clarity came from hitting a new point in my own mental health journey: I was finally able to step back, acknowledge how much healing I’d done, and recognize how much I wanted to be that same source of support for others in the Nashville community. Once I had that realization, the answer was clear, simple, exciting… and slightly agitating, because I knew there was no way around it: I was going back to school to become a therapist (though my inner nerd practically cartwheeled at the thought of being in a classroom again).
In a funny twist of timing, I had already signed up for a yoga teacher training before starting graduate school for my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. Little did I know that one of the leaders of that training, Jess Mansell, would become my future employer here at Anomaly Therapy just a few years later.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, if only. This journey has been a beautiful one, but I don’t think anyone gets to lay down each stone perfectly smoothly when building a new path for themselves—whether that path is expected or completely out of left field.
Something a lot of people don’t realize is just how much work goes into a master’s program for a mental health degree. Students aren’t just in class; they’re also carrying what is essentially a full caseload at one or more internship sites, attending hours of clinical supervision each week, studying, taking seminars, working additional jobs, and still trying to show up for their own families. It’s a uniquely humbling position to be in because it forces you to learn, in real time, the importance of caring for your own wellbeing while you’re also responsible for helping clients do the exact same thing.
Community has really been the antidote to those challenges, both during and after graduate school. There’s something grounding about being surrounded by people who get it—former classmates and fellow therapists who share the same passion and understand the unique pressures of this work. And then there are the people outside that professional bubble, the ones who remind me I’m still me, regardless of how the day went or how many notes I need to finish. That balance matters. It’s actually one of the biggest reasons I chose Anomaly Therapy as my professional home—because it’s a place that values connection, authenticity, and the very community that keeps us going.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I primarily focus on burnout and work-related distress—specifically within the music industry and corporate world—and sexual assault recovery. I also support clients working through relational struggles, social and performance anxiety, and challenges with nervous system regulation. Creating a space that feels genuine, safe, and grounded is really important to me—somewhere people can show up exactly as they are and feel held through whatever chapter they’re in. My approach tends to be collaborative and easygoing while still keeping an eye on meaningful goals.
I’ve become especially passionate about blending traditional talk therapy with nervous system work. I’ve seen firsthand how much our bodies shape the way we cope with stress, trauma, and the everyday pressures we carry. Helping clients slow down, reconnect with themselves, and build tools for regulation has become one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
I’m grateful to do this work alongside the Anomaly Therapy team, where we offer individual and couples therapy, workplace wellness support, and accessible care through low-fee options. The clinical team at Anomaly has a diversified skill set, and we’re proud of our ability to match inquiring clients with a strong clinical fit.
Any big plans?
Since joining Anomaly Therapy, I’ve been able to witness—and be part of—some really exciting growth within the practice. Under the guidance of our leader, Jess Mansell, we’ve welcomed another therapist and our first intern, with even more expansion on the horizon. I’ve had the chance to support our social media presence as well, which has been a genuinely enjoyable part of my role.
Anomaly has also been quietly developing an initiative – Workplace Wellness – to help companies integrate a more wellness-focused culture. We’re focused on partnering with Nashville area organizations eager to support their employees in ways that strengthen buy-in, productivity, and overall satisfaction. The ideal partner knows their current pain points or wants to proactively address the evolving workplace—especially as return-to-office expectations grow. Our strengths include workplace communication and conflict resolution, equity and inclusion (ensuring all voices are heard, seen, and understood), and education rooted in mental health expertise, learned skills, and applied tools.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anomalytherapy.com/
- Instagram: @anomalytherapy
