Erin Smith (she/her)

As a graduate student, I spent several years working with parents of young children with behavioral concerns on different strategies for helping their child. Since then, I have worked with parents and families to address a variety of concerns including oppositional behavior, dangerous behaviors (e.g. self-harm or drug use), issues related to adoption/abuse, and school difficulties, with children and teens up to young adulthood.

I have worked with women, teens, and children impacted by traumatic events, including abuse, domestic violence, systemic abuses, and religious trauma. Many of my clients have experienced multiple traumatic events, and have been able to experience a significant reduction in their symptoms through our work. I am familiar with a number of models of trauma treatment including TF-CBT, CPT, and prolonged exposure.

The majority of my practice has focused on working with teens and their families on a variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, social difficulties, behavioral concerns, school issues, and trauma. I work with each teen and their family to determine what the right approach to treatment will be for them that addresses each person's concerns. I approach adolescent concerns from a systems perspective, where parent involvement is encouraged.

I believe each person is part of complex and and overlapping systems that influence them and are influenced by them, including family, school/work, friends, and broader social networks. In thinking about how to approach a concern, it is important to consider these broader systemic pieces, and sometimes work to address concerns within them. I have been working with families and parents for over 10 years on improving interactions to create happier, healthier family systems.

Motivational Interviewing is a strategy that helps your or your child explore pros and cons of current behaviors, and consider long-term goals through asking questions and reflecting on your experiences and views. This can lead one to view concerns in a different way, ultimately leading to potential behavioral changes. During graduate school, I began training in motivational interviewing, and conducting my dissertation on the impact of motivational interviewing on college student drinking.

CBT involves working with a person to recognize how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors impact each other, and how they can make changes in any of these areas to improve wellbeing and reduce difficulties. My graduate program placed a heavy emphasis on CBT, and trained me for four years in various CBT therapies and uses. I continue to regularly use CBT to help individuals improve their quality of life.