My Practice
Focus
I work with adults and couples who are experiencing difficulties as a result of Grief and Loss, Anxiety, Depression, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Trauma and PTSD, and Life Transitions.
Life is full of collective experiences. Through these experiences we connect with others, all experiencing change, transitions, and growth. Though, some of these experiences may leave you feeling isolated and alone. You may feel stuck or be having difficulty navigating life’s changes, challenges, or transitions. Collective Counseling Center will provide a safe place to explore your life transitions, feelings, and develop meaning out of the collective experience, leaving with a greater sense of self-compassion and growth.
Style
As individuals, we all are meant to connect and interact with one another. One of the things I love about providing therapy is the connections that I make with my clients. It is a rewarding experience to sit with people during times of incredible pain and witness these same individuals, learn, grow, and accomplish things that previously were thought to be unattainable. I've witnessed my clients learn how to value their own thoughts and feelings, establish healthy boundaries, build confidence and compassion in oneself, and make changes to live the life they desire. I believe that you will feel the compassion I have for my work and my clients come through in the connection that the therapeutic relationship builds. To experience the benefits of therapy, the relationship between the therapist and the client is essential. You need a therapist that you can trust, has compassion for you and the experiences you have gone through, and who has the professional training to empower you to achieve the goals you have set. I strive to create a safe place for you to feel comfortable, though if for some reason we do not connect, I will do my best to find another therapist that may be a better fit for you. My hope is although circumstances cannot always be changed, you will find healing through the therapeutic process and regain connection and fulfillment not only with others, but also within yourself.
Education & Training
My name is Kelley Smith and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the State of Massachusetts with over ten years of experience in delivering compassionate, professional clinical services in the community. I have worked in community clinics, hospitals, vocational programs, and residential settings. I earned my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Legal Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and my Masters in Social Work from the University of Connecticut School Of Social Work with a focus on Mental Health and Substance Use treatment. Additionally, I am a Perinatal Mental Health Certified Professional.
I have been trained in several evidenced-based practices and modalities including, but not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model, Seeking Safety, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, the Dual Process Model of Grief, The Four Tasks of Mourning, Meaning Reconstruction, and the Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration's Screening and Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment. I am also a member of National Alliance of Social Workers (NASW).