Kathryn E. Smith, MSW, LCSW, LICSW, is currently an Independent Clinical Social Work in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Kathryn's current practice of social work is working independently and contracted as a Generalist Practitioner. 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 in which 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 two 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 Statewide Emergency Services.
Kathryn practices from within a Relational Cultural Theoretical perspective and trained early in her career thought the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute. Kathryn continues to find the most essential component in her practice of Social Work is empowering the individuals' she works with, using the Relational Cultural Theory while implementing treatments that she has studied, and practice thought her education and career. Kathryn believes that having authentic mutual empathy and mutual support is essential in providing treatment for others to make 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.
Kathryn continues in her Generalist practice as well as collaborating with clients to support them to make growth in their lives. 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 feels empowered to be a lifeline advocate for Equity in Equality, Social Justice, and a lifelong learner to continue to do what she can to support others to have healthier lives and communities and is committed to this. 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 had the opportunity as a contractor to collaborate 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, Nursing facilities, Long Term Care Units, Outpatient Medicated assistance treatment programs and Clinics, 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 in Crisis stabilization Units’. Kathryn 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 works in Private Practice, she is dedicated to her community through volunteering and offering her skills and strengths when she can and is honored to do so. Kathryn often resides in New England; in her spare time, she takes advantage of the outdoor aspects of this area in all seasons and what New England has to offer.
Additional areas of focus: Family conflicts, Grief, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, 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, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Impulsivity, 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, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Trichotillomania, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Gottman Method, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
NH LCSW 3698
MA LICSW LICSW125555
ME LCSW LC12993
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Kathryn 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.
Kathryn is very kind and caring. I appreciate how helpful and accommodating she was. Great communication!
Written on Jul 17, 2024 after therapy with Kathryn for 4 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and relationship issues