Kathianne Smith , MSW, LCSW
Kathianne Smith specializes in individual and family therapy, and couples. She works with children and adults. Kathianne has over 30 years of direct mental health experience as well as experience in program development and serving as a trainer and educator.
Kathianne's areas of specialty include:
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Play therapy
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Couples Counseling and Relationships
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Family therapy
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Successful parenting during and after divorce
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Step parenting and blended families
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Adoption
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Attachment disorders
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Autism spectrum disorder
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LGTBQ affirming
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Adult Children of Alcoholics
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Borderline Personality Disorder
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Eating disorders
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Trauma, abuse, and PTSD
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Adult survivors of sexual abuse
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Relapse prevention, recovery maintenance, and family support
Professional Background
Kathianne Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois and a BS in Psychology from Barat College, Lake Forest, Illinois. Kathianne is an Adoption-Competent Therapist and also a TAC graduate. TAC is the prestigious Training for Adoption Competency program that trains mental health therapists nationwide. These mental health professionals are certified as having the specialized skills to address the unique needs of adoptive, kinship and foster families. Over the last 30 years Kathianne has had extensive experience working with children and families.
Special Training and Modalities
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Certified Competent Trauma Professional
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EMDR II trained
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Adoption Competent (TAC trained)
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Theraplay (also trained in formal Attachment Assessments)
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CBT, Sand Tray, Art, and Play Therapy
Articles and Presentations
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Parenting and Practicing for Neurobiological, Attachment, and Trauma Perspectives
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Attachment Best Practices for Basic Interventions
Professional Affiliations
Member, National Association of Social Workers
Insurance
We can provide statements for clients who wish to submit for insurance reimbursement.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is typically used with children ages 2 through 12 and has been empirically shown to produce positive results addressing a range of concerns including anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, depression, changes in family structure, and behavioral issues. Due to their developmental stage, children are often not able to verbalize and discuss their internal cognitive and emotional experience.
The use of play in therapy allows the child to communicate to the therapist in a developmentally appropriate way, using a child’s natural language. Through therapeutic play, the therapist assists the child in gaining confidence and mastery over his/her environment, learning new ways of coping and problem-solving, and processing thoughts and feelings that he/she may not be able to communicate directly.
