Elizabeth Smith, MSW, LCSW - Attachment & Trauma Institute

Elizabeth Smith, MSW, LCSW
Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS)
Federal Programs Preschool
Office: 804-328-8116
Work Cell: 804-337-2993
Person Cell: 804-400-3940
Fax: 804-328-5502
esmith@henrico.k12.va.us
Part Time Clinical Supervisor
Attachment and Trauma Institute
elizabeth@attachmentandtrauma.com
___________________________________________________
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Primary Departmental Program Area:
Clinical Coordinator and Service Provider, Therapeutic/Trauma Classroom, HCPS
Clinical Supervisor, Attachment and Trauma Institute
Areas of Expertise and Interest:
PTSD
Developmental Trauma
Complex Trauma
Attachment Disorders
Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders
Culturally Competent Mental Health Treatment
Training in the Nuerosequential Model of Therapeutics
Training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Training in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
Advanced Training in Trauma Focused Play Therapy
Advanced Training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Advanced Training in Seeking Safety
Advanced Training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Conference Presentation:
March 22-23, 2013, Baltimore Maryland
The Royal Circle Foundation in conjunction with The Black Psychiatrists of America
Conference Title: “Child Sexual Abuse and Trauma in the African American Community”
Presentation Tile: “Team Treatment of the Effects of Sexual Abuse and Trauma”
Educational Objectives: The participant will be able to discuss: (1) the relationship between
child sexual abuse and subsequent psychopathology; (2) how acute psychiatric stabilization is
used to manage a crisis and link patients to longer term outpatient treatment
Abstract: Child sexual abuse is a traumatic event that can lead to various physical and emotional
sequelae. At times the aftermath can be so severe as to result in psychiatric hospitalization. This
presentation will review potential after effects of abuse as shown in case histories. We will also
review treatment strategies and recommendations for healing children who have survived this
experience.
Teaching Experience:
A) While working at Henrico County Public Schools Therapeutic/Trauma Preschool I serve
as an onsite field instructor and supervise one master’s level clinical concentration
student through the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Social Work.
B) While working at Virginia Treatment Center for Children, in conjunction with a
psychiatrist and psychologist from our interdisciplinary team, I developed and taught a
yearlong cultural competency course. The cultural competency course was a requirement
for psychiatry trainees, psychology trainees and social work trainees.
C) While working at Virginia Treatment Center for Children I served as an onsite field
instructor and supervised one master’s level clinical concentration student per year
through the VCU School of Social Work.
D) While working at Virginia Treatment Center for Children during the 2012-2013 academic
year I served as the psychotherapy preceptor for a Nurse Practitioner Student.
E) While working at Virginia Treatment Center for Children, I worked in conjunction with a
psychiatrist and psychologist from our interdisciplinary team on a trauma curriculum for
1st and 2nd year medical students for the 2014-2015 academic year. Topics included:
protective and risk factors (psychological, neurobiological, social and cultural) for
trauma; neuroplasticity/neurobiology/neurophysiology and trauma; symptoms and effects
of trauma in children and adolescents; symptoms and effects of trauma in adults; trauma
based medical care and vicarious trauma.
Awards:
2012-2013 recipient of the VCU Service Award for outstanding service and dedication to the
trainees of the Virginia Treatment Center for Children.
Professional Organization Membership:
Member of the Trauma Informed Community Network (TICN) of the Greater Richmond Area
Member of TICN Trauma Informed Workforce Development Committee
Member of the International Association of Trauma Professionals
EDUCATION
8/2001 to 5/2005, BA in Psychology and Sociology, The College of William and Mary,
Williamsburg, VA
8/2006 to 5/2009, Masters of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
LICENSURE
Department of Health Professions, License to Practice as a Liscensed Clinical Social Worker,
active, expires 6/30/2015
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Attachment and Trauma Institute, Part Time Clinical Supervisor, Richmond, VA, March 2015Current
• Provide weekly reflective clinical supervision for intensive in home counselors
• Oversee and review clinical documentation
• Develop higher levels of expertise in staff members by encouraging active participation
in trauma and developmentally informed seminars and learning opportunities within the
agency
• Work closely with all departments to support agency mission and day to day operations
• Network within the community and maintain good public relations with existing and new
referral sources.
Henrico County Public Schools, Federal Programs Preschool, Clinical Coordinator and Service
Provider for Therapeutic/Trauma Classroom, Richmond, VA, September 2014-Current
• Coordinate and complete the developmentally informed trauma assessment of all children
who are referred to the program, determine appropriateness for program and make
referrals as needed
• Co-facilitate classroom experience with the therapeutic teacher and therapeutic assistant
by providing input regarding clinical issues within the classroom
• Co-facilitate the therapeutic milieu by providing therapeutic interventions and by
providing strategies for classroom staff to assist children with trauma based behaviors
• Coordinate and provide therapeutic component of the program, including individual
psychotherapy for children, group psychotherapy and individual psychotherapy for
caregivers of children
• Provide case management services including coordinating/collaborating with
professionals and maintaining clinical records by completing necessary documentation.
• Co-facilitate interdisciplinary team treatment meetings
• Provide training and supervision to staff for the clinical components of the program,
highlighting a developmentally sensitive approach to clinical work
• Coordinate clinical research evaluations, specific to the children and caregiver
participants
Virginia Treatment Center for Children, Acute Unit Therapist, Richmond, VA, August 2011September 2014
• Provided group, individual and family therapy for patients between the ages of four and
eighteen, as well as their adult family members
• Completed trauma admissions assessment
• Created treatment plans with clinical diagnosis
• Attended daily rounds with attending psychiatrist, psychologist and occupational
therapist to discuss differential diagnosis and trajectory of treatment
• Complete comprehensive case management to assist with discharge planning and initiate
safety planning to help with transitions of patients back into the community
Dominion Youth Services, Clinician/Therapist, Richmond, VA, May 2009-August 2011
• Clinically assisted all lead counselors and all youth counselors with delivery of care
• Developed and implemented feelings/trauma groups on a daily basis
• Conducted intake assessments with clinical diagnosis
• Completed corresponding prior authorization for services as required by DMAS
• Reviewed documentation of lead counselors for clinical content and to countersign
documentation
• Provided clinical supervision for lead counselors
Virginia Treatment Center for Children, Acute Unit Therapist Intern, Richmond, VA, August
2008-May 2009
• Provided individual and family therapy for patients
• Provided comprehensive case management to connect patients with appropriate follow up
services when discharged from the psychiatric facility
American Red Cross, Disaster Mental Health Team Intern, Richmond, VA, May 2008-August
2008
• Provided emergency and preventative mental health services to people affected by
disasters
• Services included psychological first aide, education about stressors and their effects,
methods of coping, advocacy, crises interventions, and referral services to resources to
meet longer term mental health needs
Dominion Youth Services, Intensive In Home Counselor, Richmond, VA, September 2007-April
2009
• Provided individual and family counseling for clients who were in jeopardy of being
removed from their current home placement
• Provided crises intervention, behavior modification, recreational therapy, individual
service plans, home behavior management plans and community involvement
Dominion Youth Services, Day Treatment Counselor, Richmond, VA, May 2005-September
2007
• Developed and implemented daily therapeutic groups for five to seven year old children
who were exhibiting ongoing behavioral and emotional difficulties in the home, school
and community settings
• Developed and implemented individualized behavior modification and treatment plans
• Provided direct supervision of youth counselors within the classroom setting
• Responsible for maintaining the medical record charts of 13-14 clients to include CAFAS
forms, annual diagnostic updates, quarterly reports, daily progress notes, closing
summaries and treatment plans
Eastern State Hospital, Intern, Williamsburg, VA, June 2003-February 2005
• Worked with lower functioning patients through the Cognitive Awareness Program
(CAP)
• Through daily activities helped to orient patients to their location, date, time, etc. and
engaged them in light cognitive activities to help patients remain focused
Food and Friends, Exxon Mobile Inter, Washington, DC, June 2002-August 2002
• Performed administrative duties that helped to meet the daily nutritional needs of people
living with HIV/AIDS
• Transported meals to drop off centers and client residences and conducted home visits
with clients and family members
• Participated in the client buddy program with children under the age of 18 diagnosed with
HIV/AIDS
• Developed and carried out community outreach to increase client base