Lanie Smith
MSW, CSWA
I strive to create a space where clients are free to express their emotions without fear of judgement. I am here to support you in accomplishing your goals, whatever they might be.
I have loved the opportunities I have had to sit down with a child or a teenager and really hear their emotions and goals they have for themselves. Children are so resilient and their lives can be greatly impacted by having adults around that support them. I have had the privilege throughout my career to see youth grow and accomplish things they never thought they would be able to do.
Growing up, I could identify the adults around me that were making a difference in my life. I was lucky to have therapists who made a positive difference in my life. I was fascinated by the mental health field and knew from a young age that I wanted to go into counseling. Being a social worker has allowed me to work directly with a variety of populations and gain insight and experience that informs my practice today.
Outside of the office, I love to hike, surf, and indoor rock climb. Coming from the Midwest, I feel lucky to live in a place that has mountains and the ocean. I have a dog and two cats (and a turtle) that I love to spend time with. After work, you can find me taking my dog for a walk and enjoying nature. I also like to have at least one art project and one book to work on at any given time.
I assist clients who are experiencing a wide range of presenting concerns, including: anxiety, depression, struggles in school, grief and loss, LGBTQIA+ issues, and trauma recovery.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Who I Work With: Adults, Teens, Children 4+
While I work with a wide range of people and presenting problems, some of my most common topics of focus include:
Anxiety
Depression
Struggles in school
Grief and loss
LGBTQIA+ issues
Trauma recovery
Counseling Technique
I believe that every client is an expert in their own life. I maintain a trauma informed and strengths based mindset with all of my clients. I use play therapy as a means to work through several areas of a child's life, such as feelings of anxiety or trouble at school. I have experience using Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, and Collaborative Problem Solving. I draw from multiple evidence-based practices to find what will work best for each individual client. I try to meet the sensory needs of each client to ensure that they are able to show up to the best of their ability.
Professional Background
I have experience working with children and teens who have experienced trauma and have struggled to form positive attachments to others. Much of my professional work has included working with children in low income households or have been involved with the child welfare system. I have also worked with adults who have been involved with the child welfare system, including those who are foster families and those who are working towards reunifying with their biological children. I have worked in nonprofit and school settings. I have extensive experience working with youth who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community or are exploring their sexual orientation and gender identity. I am comfortable working with clients from a variety of backgrounds and consider every client to be an expert of their own experiences. My passion is getting to work with clients who want to build their resiliency and accomplish their goals, whatever they may be.
Education Credentials
I am registered as a Clinical Social Work Associate in the state of Oregon. I received my Master's of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago, and my Bachelor's of Social Work from the University of Iowa. I am under the supervision of Gene Obersinner, a licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Oregon.