My name is Stephanie Smith. I am a Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist (LP) in the state of Minnesota. I received my doctorate in clinical forensic psychology in 2015 at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. During school, I had the opportunity to provide psychological services: therapy and evaluation in a wide range of settings. I've worked in short-term and long-term psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment facilities, and college counseling. I completed my pre and post-doctoral internships in Texas, working in state-run inpatient psychiatric facilities. In my current position, I work at a county-owned community mental health center conducting therapy for individuals across the life span and psychological assessments for various departments in county government, including court-ordered psychological evaluations to determine competency to proceed, insanity, and other psycho-legal questions posed by the court.
Due to the unique nature of the populations I serve, my therapeutic interventions have evolved to best meet their needs. I consider myself to be an existential therapist; that is, I believe that we are all responsible for creating our own value and meaning in our lives. I strive to help my clients own their stories and use them to their advantage, rather than victims of their circumstances. I want to empower survivors to seize the power that has been thwarted due to systemic injustice, abusive/neglectful childhoods, and the everyday traumas of day-to-day existence. I am adept at working with individuals who have interfaced with the criminal justice system, experienced trauma, and have lost their voice. I have training in evidence-based practices such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. I treat each client I serve as an individual and tailor therapeutic interventions to meet my clients' goals.
With over 10 years of experience as a woman of color in the mental health field, I believe it is crucial to have therapists that understand your unique life experience and reflect your values. It is essential to remain curious about individuals who may not look or think like us, but from whom we can learn more about ourselves and how we view others and the world. Whether you've been in therapy all your life, or this is your first time considering it, I am here to meet you where you are at so we can struggle through this thing we call life together.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Antisocial Personality, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Communication problems, Emptiness, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Multicultural Concerns, Narcissism, Paranoia, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
MN Psychologist LP6125
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Stephanie Smith. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Wonderful, intentional, and insightful.
Written on Nov 30, 2022 after therapy with Stephanie for 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
She's wonderful
Written on Jun 26, 2022 after therapy with Stephanie for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
Dr. Smith has a wonderful approach to therapy. She is open, caring, non-judgmental and I truly feel she's in my corner!
Written on Jun 01, 2022 after therapy with Stephanie for 1 month on issues concerning grief, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Dr. Smith was an ideal therapist. She was immediately able to pinpoint what we should work on. She was an incredible listener and problem solver. I made a lot of growth in a short time and would definitely recommend Doctor Smith to everyone I know!
Written on May 09, 2022 after therapy with Stephanie for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes
Dr. Smith has been a great therapist who has listens and understands me, and has helped me uncover some childhood trauma that I did not realize I had.
Written on Feb 26, 2022 after therapy with Stephanie for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and trauma and abuse
Great therapist! Tries to help you open your mind to solve your problems and lays out possible problems that you can solve. Cares a lot, and responds fast!
Written on Feb 24, 2022 after therapy with Stephanie for 2 weeks on issues concerning self esteem, relationship issues, family conflicts, and adhd