A shocking incident at a mental health counseling office has left a respected therapist dead, another client injured, and a former client deceased in what police believe was a suicide. The case has deeply disturbed the local community and raised serious questions about safety in counseling spaces.
What happened at the counseling office
The attack happened on January 19 when police were called to a mental health counseling office after reports of a stabbing. Officers arrived to find that 44-year-old therapist Rebecca Park had been seriously injured. One of her clients, a man in his 30s who has not been publicly identified, had also been stabbed.
Park was rushed to the hospital, but doctors were unable to save her. The client survived the attack and underwent surgery. Police said he is expected to recover. It was the client who called 911 to report the stabbing, helping authorities respond quickly.
Suspect identified as former client
Police identified the suspect as Michael Smith, a former client of Park. According to reports, Smith arrived at Park’s office and demanded to speak with her. When she did not allow him inside, he allegedly forced his way in and attacked both Park and her current client with a knife.
The day after the attack, on January 20, authorities found Smith dead. Investigators believe he died by suicide. Officials have not released a motive for the attack, and the case remains under investigation.
Who was Rebecca Park
Rebecca Park had been a licensed mental health counselor for around 20 years. In 2022, she started her own practice called Down to Earth Therapy Solutions. People familiar with her work described her as dedicated to helping others and deeply committed to her clients’ wellbeing.
Her death has led to an outpouring of grief, especially among those who knew her professionally and personally. Many in the community have spoken about the importance of mental health professionals and the risks they sometimes face while doing their jobs.
Details about the suspect’s past
Reports have also revealed troubling details about Michael Smith’s criminal history. According to an old arrest report from 2003, Smith spent 18 years in prison for serious violent crimes, including armed burglary, armed sexual battery, and armed kidnapping. After his release, he was placed on the Florida Sex Offender registry.
The report describes a past case in which Smith allegedly forced a woman into her home at knifepoint, held her for hours, and repeatedly assaulted her before tying her up. The woman later managed to escape and seek help. Authorities have not confirmed how much of this history was known to the therapist or how it may have affected the current case.
Impact on the community and mental health professionals
This tragedy has shaken many people, especially those who work in counseling and mental health care. Therapists often work closely with individuals who are in emotional distress, and while the vast majority of clients are not violent, incidents like this highlight the need for better safety planning.
Some key concerns being discussed include:
- How counseling offices can improve physical security
- Whether therapists should have clearer protocols for handling former clients who return unexpectedly
- The need for stronger communication between justice systems and care providers when clients have violent histories
- Emotional support for professionals who are affected by traumatic incidents at work
Mental health experts stress that counseling remains safe in most situations, but also acknowledge the importance of learning from such incidents to protect both practitioners and clients.
