Dr. Stefanie F Smith
Licensed Clinical Psychologist | Ph.D.
Client Focus
Children
Adolescents
Adults Supporting Young People
Specialties
Expert Testimony
Complex Childhood Trauma
Psychological Assessment
Grief & Loss
EMDR
Trauma-Informed Care Training
Attachment Disorders
Treatment Methods
ADHD
DBT
Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)
Seeking Safety
ARC
IFC
ACT
Trauma and Grief Component Therapy
Polyvagal Theory
Somatic Experiencing
Motivational Interviewing
Interpersonal Neurobiology
Trauma Survivors
Acute Trauma
With over 25 years of specialized trauma expertise as a provider, researcher, and educator, Dr. Smith brings unparalleled depth of knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of trauma's complex effects across different populations and developmental stages.
Her extensive training in 15+ evidence-based modalities, combined with her postdoctoral fellowship at the renowned Trauma Center, provides clients with access to the most cutting-edge and effective trauma treatments available.
Dr. Smith's holistic approach integrates neurophysiologically informed interventions with body-based therapies, addressing trauma's impact on the nervous system while supporting overall mind-body-spirit healing and resilience.
"I am amazed with the resilience of people and find it an incredibly fulfilling honor to be part of the self-acceptance and healing journey. My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their experiences, gain insight into their emotional responses, and develop effective coping strategies and healthy relationships with themselves and others."
- Dr. Stefanie F Smith
Dr. Stefanie F. Smith is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of specialized expertise in trauma treatment, research, and education.
With particular expertise in complex childhood trauma, acute trauma, and psychological assessment, she has dedicated her career to understanding and healing the profound effects of traumatic experiences across the lifespan. Dr. Smith particularly enjoys working with children and adolescents, as well as the adults who support them, bringing special insight to working with angry teens who often mask their pain behind defensive behaviors. Her approach is grounded in the belief that trauma affects not just the mind but also the body and spirit, requiring holistic healing interventions.
Her therapeutic approach draws from an extensive toolkit of over 15 evidence-based modalities, with specialized training in trauma-specific treatments including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma and Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents, Seeking Safety, and Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competencies (ARC). Dr. Smith also incorporates Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing into her practice. Her methodology emphasizes neurophysiologically informed and body-based interventions, utilizing polyvagal theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and Somatic Experiencing to address trauma's impact on the nervous system and overall functioning.
With a Ph.D. that focused on ethnocultural differences in PTSD symptoms and racial identity, Dr. Smith completed a prestigious 2-year Postdoctoral fellowship at the Trauma Center under Bessel van der Kolk's leadership. She maintains her expertise through regular training with the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Smith serves as an author, researcher, and educator in the trauma field, providing training on trauma-informed care and expert testimony in legal proceedings. Her scholarly work contributes to advancing understanding of how trauma affects diverse populations.
Outside the therapy room, Dr. Smith embodies the resilience and adventurous spirit she helps clients discover within themselves. She finds her greatest joy in outdoor activities that span land, sky, and water, including rock climbing, skydiving, surfing, kayaking, rafting, skiing, and scuba diving. She also appreciates the mellower pleasure of listening to music at outdoor venues. These diverse adventures reflect her deep understanding that healing often requires both courage and the grounding connection that nature provides.