Find a therapist in Rensselaer, NY — covered by insurance

Amy Afua Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who graduated from Wheelock College with a Master's Degree in Social Work. Ms. Smith’s diverse background includes working with homeless individuals and families in a variety of community settings including hospitals, shelters and within the child welfare system.

Her clinical social work with families ignited her interest in psychotherapy. Ms. Smith’s background as the daughter of immigrant African parents makes her perceptive to the issues facing individuals and communities of various backgrounds especially as it impacts human rights and social justice. Ms. Smith specializes in suicide prevention, domestic violence, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and trauma.

Ms. Smith is dedicated to lowering barriers to receiving mental health services. Ms. Smith’s background and work experiences have propelled her to create a group for women of color to reduce the stigma of mental health and access. Ms. Smith is the creator and founder of W.O.K.E. (Women of Kolour Empowered). The group was established in 2018 and has over 1300 members nationwide. Her work was featured in O Magazine (The Oprah Magazine) in June 2019’s edition.

My name is Sara and I graduated from Adelphi in 2017 with my MSW. Shortly after I obtained my license and began to work in Queens in a hospital doing inpatient psychiatric social work. I have worked with all populations on each of our specialty units, including adolescents, young and older adults, and aging. I spent most of my time working with individuals aged 18-62 presenting with a multitude of acute crises. I range from working with individuals experience first-break symptoms, all through chronic and treatment resistant symptoms. I have also held supervisory and administrative roles, in which I provided direct supervision and guidance for other healthcare professionals, primarily social workers. I also specialize in family dynamics and counseling, as well as mediation.

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to learn about my practice. My name is Courtney, and I have been practicing psychotherapy for over 20 years. I view the therapy relationship as a collaboration, with my primary role as a guide in creating a safe container for healing, achieving balance & empowerment, and developing insight & conscious awareness for a more positive and fulfilling life. My style is that of curiosity, non-judgment, and compassion for your experience, while together we cocreate a therapeutic path forward to heal old wounds and evolve into new healthy behaviors and coping abilities.

I am a trauma-informed psychotherapist with extensive training in Trauma-Focused therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Creative Arts Therapy, Somatic Therapies, and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). I believe understanding the brain as it relates to both trauma and meditation is an empowering first step on the healing journey.

I follow a person-centered, eclectic and integrative approach to treatment, grounded in Energy Psychology, evidence-based treatments, trauma-focused interventions, meditation, spirituality and creative wellness. I am passionate about this work, and I welcome the opportunity to connect with you to determine if we would be a good fit.

I am a clinician with several years of experience in addiction, depression, grief, bereavement, ACOA issues. My approach to treatment is direct but gentle encouragement to help a client deal with their feelings and make changes that are beneficial for them. My dynamic is serious but also humorous. I truly believe that in some cases laughter is the best medicine. I accept clients ages 25+.