Lanie Smith
MSW, CSWA
Recovery is not one size fits all. I aim to help young people meet whatever goals they have for themselves.
I have a background in both individual therapy and group therapy. I enjoy running groups where clients can become a support system for their group mates. It is so cool to see young people view time with a group as a safe space where they can feel welcome to be themselves. Growing up, I came into contact with therapists that made me feel seen and gave me new tools to take on life’s challenges, both through play and talk as I got older. The positive experiences that I had with my therapists made me want to pursue an education in the mental health field. In college, my first social work adjacent job led me to talk with and educate middle and high schoolers on healthy relationships and consent. I discovered I had a passion for working with young people and was able to see first hand how resilient they can be. Being a social worker has given me the ability to work with a variety of populations and gain insight and experience I can use to inform my practice today.
When I am working with teens and young adults, I like to pull from themes related to stress management, identity development, social connection, and creativity and problem solving. I enjoy using pieces of multiple modalities in my work and draw upon Internal Family Systems, Collaborative Problem Solving, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and components of play therapy.
When I am not in the office, I love hanging out with my dog and two cats. I like to do almost anything that gets me active or out in nature, including hiking, indoor rock climbing, and surfing. I also enjoy having a creative outlet, which is currently painting.
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 Maleigha Myers, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Oregon.