February 2025

Shara Smile, LLC Newsletter February 2025

Greetings All!

This month is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

This is one story of so many.

She was anxious. She was skipping school. Her grades were dropping. Her relationships were impacted. She and I got to work, but nothing seemed to be an “answer”. Her parents and I worked together to find a root cause. For months I was scratching my head.

As her counselor, I knew one thing for sure: there WAS a cause. I was determined to help her and determined to help her learn how to help herself.

Months into our work together, she revealed to me that she had been a victim of teen dating violence. No one knew but her and her (then ex) boyfriend. Now I knew too. It took a lot of work and courage for her to share her story. Each session she opened up and her story unfolded. I listened. I heard. She shared more. Over time, she was able to talk more to others in her life to let them know what happened. She gained a sense of control, she dealt with her anxiety head on. She grew stronger as she healed and found her voice and empowerment. Perhaps one of her strongest moments was when she confronted her perpetrator to tell him that what he did was wrong, how it impacted her, and how she was dealing with it.

I am so proud of each and every client I have. This client found HER path of courage away from her Teen Dating Violence experience. She is a strong advocate for counseling and I am so proud of her and the hard work she did to find healing and what she continues to do to live fully.

If you are a victim of teen dating violence: GET HELP. Help can lead to your own story of hope!

This story is shared with permission of the client.

Go out there and if you can, Share a Smile!

Sincerely

Shara Carter

Emergency Hotline Phone numbers

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Text “Sharasmile” to 85100 to receive important information and communication from Shara Smile!

CHECK IT OUT!

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Lori gottlieb wrote maybe you should talk to someone

The Art of Holding Space

Compassion, boundaries, and transformation—The Art of Holding Space teaches you how to support others while staying true to yourself. Discover tools to navigate conflict, build trust, and create brave spaces for healing and connection in a disconnected world.

REST, REJUVENATE, and RELATE

It’s my hope to help you connect with your family, your body, and your community!

As the new year begins, find some time to REST, REJUVENATE, and RELATE with friends, family and your community through unforgettable local experiences.

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The Art of Ballroom

Discover The Art of Ballroom—a place where creativity, connection, and joy come alive through dance. Whether you’re dreaming of social dancing, performing, or competing, the passionate instructors and personalized plans will guide you every step of the way.

Sometimes it’s great to go back to basics with your partner and learn something new together. Enjoy a beginner’s lesson and a new shared experience! There are so many skills and “life lessons” that can be learned from dancing with your partner or even learning as a solo learner! Come join the ART and community of DANCE!

Debbie LoCurto and Randy Thomas, owners of this new dance studio are wonderful friends of Shara’s! Let them know she sent you! :)

Professional Review

I’ve known Shara for 30 years and can vouch for her integrity, compassion, and heart for serving others. Her life experience and professional insights combine to give her unique perspective to identify and diagnose struggles in her clients. She’s truly called and equipped to guide the hurting to a better tomorrow.

- Russell Mauldin