Hello!  My name is Cheryl Smith and I am a licensed clinical social worker and have been in the field for over 35 years.  I began my career working with children, adolescents and their families in psychiatric residential treatment settings.  Ultimately, I became an Administrator of a nonprofit agency overseeing inpatient and outpatient programs including a special education school.  After spending some time as a Division Director in Psychiatry at a state-run psychiatric hospital, I made a conscious decision to go back to basics.  I returned to clinical working specifically with people challenged with substance abuse.

I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Attachment, Regulation and Competency Treatment.  I am a proponent of working together with clients to develop a targeted treatment plan with interventions that are realistic, strengths based and provide evidence that treatment is working.  Therapy that is solution focused typically means less time in treatment.

I specialize in working with people who are experiencing life transitions at any age.  In addition, I have significant experience working with people challenged by substance misuse.  As an adoptee myself and having spent many years in the field, I am skilled in working in adoption and with foster children and families. I have significant expertise in helping people connect their thoughts, emotions and behaviors in ways that help them to take control of their lives and build healthy relationships.

I received a Master’s Degree in Divinity and was ordained a priest in the American National Catholic Church in January of 2020.  The combination of social work and ministry allows me the unique ability to offer Christian-based counseling.  I also volunteer and I am currently the Vice President on the Board of Directors at the Community Guidance Clinic of Central Connecticut. I enjoy hanging out with my grandchildren, studying scripture, travel and painting.