Grounded Budget Coaching

Dermott Smith, LCSW
Certified YNAB Budget Coach

• Email

Please reach out to [email protected] to get connected and to set up a free consultation call.

What is budget coaching?

Budget coaching is a collaborative process that helps you better understand, organize, and manage your finances in a way that aligns with your goals and values. In one-on-one sessions, I will help you set up and use You Need a Budget (YNAB), a budgeting software designed to help you plan intentionally for the future rather than simply track past spending.While budget coaching is not therapy, I recognize that conversations about money can often feel overwhelming, emotionally charged, or shame-filled. I take special care to destigmatize debt, center your personal goals, and support greater awareness of the emotions that may arise throughout the process.

Who is a good candidate for coaching?

If you have a hard time planning for unexpected expenses, find yourself making impulsive purchases that you later regret, or feel overwhelmed by the idea of paying down debt, you may benefit from personalized guidance and support. Budget coaching can help you develop a clearer understanding of your spending, create realistic financial goals, and build habits that feel manageable and sustainable over time.Coaching may also be a good fit if you avoid looking at your finances altogether, feel anxious when thinking about money, or struggle to stay consistent with budgeting on your own. My goal is not to judge your past decisions, but to help you create a more intentional and compassionate relationship with your finances so you can feel more confident and in control moving forward.

Logistic Info

• More info on YNAB

Why I do this work

I began using YNAB in 2023, and it completely changed the way I related to money. Beyond helping me organize my finances, it helped me unlearn long-standing patterns of shame, avoidance, and stress around budgeting. Over time, I became deeply interested in the process and I genuinely enjoy helping others discover the same sense of clarity and relief. In 2026, I completed YNAB’s coaching training program to further support people in building healthier, more intentional financial habits.

Looking for psychotherapy?

I also do that! I see individuals for mental health therapy at Head Heart Therapy in Chicago. Please reach out to me at [email protected] for more info.