Kathryn E. Smith, MSW, LCSW, LICSW, is licensed to practice Independent Clinical Social Work in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Kathryn received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Behavioral Science and Psychology from The University of Maine in 2005. In 2008, she earned a Master of Social Work from The University of New England. Early in Kathryn's career, she completed 4 years as an Ambassador for the National Health Service Corps (NHCS), in settings that are identified to have a high number of individuals who have limited access and resources to healthcare, as well as in statewide emergency services and crisis debriefing to first responders. Kathryn also completed 2 internships with a local Area Agency on Aging as well as continued to gain clinical experience and practice under supervision throughout statewide emergency services while she was obtaining her Master of Social Work Degree. From 2008-2017, Kathryn continued to practice in nonprofit mental health settings as a LCSW in Maine in outpatient settings and on call statewide emergency after hours. Her current practice of social work is working independently contracted as a Generalist.
Kathryn practices from a Relational Cultural Theoretical perspective, Kathryn received Intensive training in this From the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute. Kathryn continues to find the most beneficial in her practice of Social Work is empowering the individuals' she works with by the practice of the Relational Cultural theoretical model. Kathryn believes that having authentic mutual empathy and mutual support is essential in providing treatment for others to make positive growth and empower individuals to make positive changes in their lives. Kathryn practices implementing Relational Cultural Theory to support all evidenced based models she uses that allow and recognize the importance of a therapeutic alliance in her treatment settings. Without having an ability to connect authentically, one can become disempowered, oppressed and isolated.
Her primary focus over the past 4 years have been focused on continuing to provide support to the community through volunteering and entrepreneurship of pursuit that encompasses core values of Social Workers. Kathryn continues in her Generalist practice as well as working with clients who are impacted with oppression and social injustice and isolation. She defines her current practice as a privilege that is both challenging and rewarding and feels honored to have had opportunities to make positive changes and continues to strive toward effectively empowering others to make healthier lives. Kathryn has formal training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solutions Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, The Relational Cultural Theoretical Model, Working in High Performing Teams, she has extensive experience of Trauma Informed Care and Crisis debriefing as well as supporting those who are approaching or entering into Partial Hospitalization and Intensive outpatient settings for Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse Disorders, Personality Disorders as well as Trauma/ Anxiety and Depressive Disorders. She has practiced individual therapy with all ages. In 2015 she practiced TFCBT with children and also had the opportunity to be contracted to work with military veterans and their families during that time as well. She also has worked within primary care settings, Emergency Rooms and in Med Surgical atmospheres, outpatient Medicated assistance treatment programs, Intensive outpatient programs for Substance Abuse and Eating Disorders and Co-Occurring Disorders. Kathryn has provided ongoing Clinical Consultation and supervision for a Substance Abuse Residential Treatment facility throughout New England, and also in an Adult and children’s Crisis stabilization Unit until 2017. She worked intensely as the Home and Community Based Treatment Therapist with the Department of Health and Human Services, Children's and family Services in Aroostook County, Me, being described as very supportive and influential to others during parental reunification process. She was a clinical director for non profit outpatient mental health practices in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, as well as worked in Medicated assisted outpatient facilities for individuals who are recovering from addictions in several therapeutic settings. She created and sustained ongoing groups for adults who suffer with anxiety and depression using her skills from trainings in DBT and CBT as well as implementing a variety of community collaborative work and creative Arts Therapy that had measurable successful outcomes. Currently Kathryn often resides in New England and takes advantage of the outdoor aspects of this area in all seasons.
Additional areas of focus: Family conflicts, Grief, Anger management, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment issues, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Narcissism, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Trichotillomania, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
MA LICSW LICSW125555
ME LCSW LC12993
NH LCSW 3698