Shelia Smith was introduced to the Grief Recovery Method through her membership at The House of the Lord in Akron, Ohio. After personally experiencing the positive impact of the method, she decided to become a Grief Recovery Method Specialist.  She has been certified since 2012. Shelia has experience in both one-on-one and group grief support.

Shelia is a licensed/ordained minister at the House of the Lord in Akron, Ohio.  She is a certified Chrisitian Life Coach, certified Lay Counselor - and member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant (OCPSA) and completed Mental Health Coach First Responder Training.  She is also trained in Mental Health First Aid for Adults and Teens. Her employment history includes serving as a case manager for youth grades 9 through 12 for 9 years, social services coordinator for both high school and middle school students for 3 years in Akron Public Schools.  She also served as a voluntary Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Summit County Juvenile Court for 4 years.

She is a former Akron School Board member - serving from 2005-2009.

Shelia Smith is the founder of Koinonia Education and Family Resource Center located in Akron, OH.  The mission and vision of Koinonia is to promote community wellness through education.