Kathryn E. Smith, MSW, LCSW, LICSW. Kathryn is licensed to practice Independent Clinical Social Work in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and Maine. Kathryn received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Behavioral Science and Psychology from The University of Maine in 2005. She then obtained her Master of Social Work in 2008, from The University of New England. Kathryn also valuable experience from being a service member for the National Health Service Corps (NHCS) for 4 years working in settings that are identified to have a high number of individuals who have limited access and resources to healthcare. Following her contract with the NHSC, Kathryn continued to practice in nonprofit mental health settings until 2017 as a LCSW. Her current practice of Social work is working with individuals and groups who have co-occurring disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Use Disorders and various Mood related disorders.
Kathryn practices from Relational Cultural Theoretical perspective and she identifies this as the most essential in providing treatment. She studied Relational cultural Theory to support all evidenced based models she implements. Without having a ability to connect and without one feeling supported or validated, how can they be empowered to heal and make growth.
Her primary focus over the past 4 years have been focused on treating individuals with suffering with various co-occurring disorders, including trauma and anxiety related disorders, Substance Abuse Disorders, Eating disorders and mood disorders. She defines her current practice as both challenging and rewarding and feels honored and privileged to have positive impact on others. She has formal training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solutions Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, The Relational Cultural Theroretical Model, Working in High Performing Teams, She has extensive experience of Trauma informed care and approaching Partial Hospitilization 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. She was a Clinical Consultant for an Substance Abuse Residential Treatment facilities, and also in adult and children’s Crisis stabilization Units. She worked intensely as the Home and Community Based Treatment therapist with the Department of Health and Human Services, Childrens and family Services in Aroostook County, M, . including being very supportive during parental reunification process. She was a clinical director for a outpatient mental health practice as well as worked in Medicated assisted outpatient facilities for individuals who are recovering from addictions. She created and sustained a ongoing group 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.
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), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
MA LICSW LICSW125555
ME LCSW LC12993
NH LCSW 3698