By: Contributing Writer at MMB

As economic pressure reshapes today’s work landscape, women—often the backbone of both households and organizations—are bearing a disproportionate burden. With teams shrinking, expectations growing, and personal responsibilities multiplying, it’s no wonder that 1 in 3 women reports feeling constantly burned out, according to a McKinsey & Company study on women in the workplace.

Christi Venable, award-winning mental wellness strategist and founder of SMILE Therapy Services, has a message for companies nationwide: prioritize mental wellness or risk losing your most valuable asset—your people.

“Women are leading in boardrooms and at home, but they’re doing it at the cost of their emotional well-being,” says Venable. “Ignoring mental health isn’t just negligent—it’s expensive.”

From Burnout to Breakthrough

Photo Courtesy: Christi Venable

Venable is not just a clinician—she’s a change agent reshaping how leaders think about mental health at work. With a background in behavioral health, trauma-informed care, and years of experience navigating complex organizational systems, she brings a 360-degree understanding of what drives—or drains—employee well-being.

Whether she’s consulting with government agencies or Fortune 500 companies, her mission is the same: to replace toxic productivity with psychological safety, and to help leadership teams build cultures rooted in clarity, compassion, and consistency.

Her approach moves beyond one-off perks and performative gestures. Instead of relying on temporary morale boosters like pizza parties or generic wellness portals, Venable delivers evidence-based, human-centered strategies that actually shift behavior and reshape how people show up to work.

She emphasizes that true workplace wellness is not a one-size-fits-all program—it’s a long-term commitment to organizational healing. From identifying internal stressors to training managers in emotional intelligence, her work addresses both the surface symptoms and the deeper systems causing burnout.

In her words: “If we want people to thrive, we have to build workplaces that support the whole person—not just the job title.”

Signature Sessions That Speak to Today’s Workforce

Photo Courtesy: Christi Venable

Christi’s most in-demand workshops speak directly to women leaders—and those who support them:

• Putting Your Oxygen Mask on First: Self-Care for Effective Leadership
  This session reframes self-care as a business imperative. Venable equips women with tools to set boundaries, manage stress, and lead with clarity.
• Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace
  Venable helps teams build environments where diverse voices are heard and respected—unlocking creativity, loyalty, and growth.
• The Emotionally Intelligent Leader
  Through relatable case studies and practical tools, Christi shows leaders how to cultivate empathy, emotional regulation, and connection.

A New App for Real Workplace Change

Photo Courtesy: Christi Venable

Most workplace wellness programs fail because they check a box but don’t create real, lasting change. Christi Venable is changing that narrative with The Refreshing Smile Workplace Wellness Course & App—a new digital system created to help HR leaders and executives build mentally resilient, high-performing teams without adding more to their plate.

For a limited time, organizations can join the interest list to receive early access and exclusive pre-sale pricing before the official launch.

What Makes This Course Different?

• Self-Paced Learning, Designed for Busy Professionals – Learn on your time, with strategies you can apply immediately
• Live Webinars & Expert-Led Training – Hear from specialists who’ve helped shift real workplace cultures
• Step-by-Step, Scalable Solutions – A roadmap that takes the guesswork out of improving mental wellness
• Built for Long-Term Impact – Not just theory—strategies that aim to deliver measurable results

Women Deserve More Than Survival—They Deserve to Thrive

Women are leading America’s workplaces, but many are doing so on emotional fumes. According to Deloitte’s Women @ Work report, more than half of women say their mental health is poor or very poor, and nearly 40% say better mental health support from their employer is one of the most critical resources they need to thrive.

Christi Venable’s work is a reminder that wellness isn’t a perk—it’s a pathway to progress.

To learn more, bring Christi to your next leadership event, or get early access to The Refreshing Smile Workplace Wellness Course & App, visit SMILE Therapy Services to schedule a discovery call.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Published by Joseph T.