Meet Shaantai

Shaantai Smart is a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern (MFT-I) at Red Sands Psychiatry, Restorative Therapy, & Counseling. She works primarily with adults and couples, focusing on communication, relational dynamics, and championing emotional safety. She is drawn to Narrative Therapy and frequently utilizes it in her care, as she believes the lens through which we see the world shapes our perspective, and ultimately creates our reality.

 

​​Shaantai attended the University of Utah, where she double majored with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Mass Communication. Currently, she is completing her Master’s while practicing as a Marriage and Family Therapy Intern as part of her clinical training. 

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Shaantai has always been inclined toward helping others; but it wasn’t until high school (thanks to the encouragement of a particularly inspiring teacher) that her interest in mental health began to take root. As she continued exploring the field, she found herself drawn to couples work and the complexities of intimacy. In her words, "I was struck by how sex, despite being a natural and universal part of life, often remains taboo, even in committed relationships."​

 

What started as an interest blossomed into a meaningful career. Shaantai is uniquely passionate about her work with couples and approaches therapy with curiosity, care, and a deep respect for each client's unique journey. 

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Shaantai is kind, personable, and earnest. As a provider, she employs a warm, collaborative approach to therapy. She finds deep meaning in holding space for others to feel heard without judgment. She firmly believes that, as humans, we need to be listened to, truly listened to, and she loves to facilitate that in her care. Clients often tell her they feel like they can discuss anything without judgment. 

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She hopes that couples or individuals will leave each session feeling better than when they arrived — more seen, more grounded, and more connected to themselves or their partner. She wants her care to feel like a collaborative process where clients are empowered to explore what feels right and speak up when something feels off.

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In the future, Shaantai plans to become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and pursue certification as an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist. She strives to be a lifelong learner and is uniquely committed to furthering her education and expanding her skillset for her work with couples.

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Shaantai is married to her best friend and finds joy in the small, intentional moments that bring her peace and perspective. Outside of the office, she loves spending time outdoors (especially hiking with her dog), golfing, traveling, and attending hot air balloon festivals; sunshine is a big part of her self-care! She also enjoys journaling, meditation, and grounding practices that help her stay connected. 

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One of her favorite quotes is:

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"It is never the size of the step that a person takes that counts, but its direction."

— Michael White, founder of Narrative Therapy