Expertise:
Substance dependence; Bereavement counseling
Major Product/SVS:
Counseling services for people suffering from mental illnesses; Addiction treatment; Rehabilitation services
Hobbies/Sports:
Spending time with her friends; Reading; Needlepoint
Education Degrees:
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Case Western Reserve University; Master of Science in Nursing, University of Rhode Island; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Rhode Island College; Diploma in Nursing, Beth Israel Hospital School of Nursing, Boston, MA
Affiliations Awards:
Guest Lecturer, The Compassionate Friends
Number Of Years In Profession:
23
Number Of Years In Current Position:
1
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to her ability to help her patients think positively, rather than be destroyed by negative thoughts. She also credits her success to her extensive knowledge of prescription medications.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession after working as a delivery room nurse. It was when she developed a childbirth preparation and education program that she discovered her passion for behavior modification.
Extended Bio Profile:
Dr. Smith has worked as a professional nurse for 45 years. During her doctoral studies at Case Western Reserve University, she wrote her dissertation on long-term parental grief and later developed a graduate program focusing on bereavement counseling. A few important people have influenced her career, including her mentor, Mary Burke, DNS, RN, when she received her doctorate, and the psychologist and mentor, Therese A. Rando, Ph.D., from Warwick, R.I., who spoke at the first Compassionate Friends meeting she attended. She also credits Dr. Gregg Etter, who was the medical director at Arbour Fuller Hospital, when she was working there as an attending physician. He provided the education for treatment of drug dependence, which reinforced her expertise.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Conducting initial psychiatric evaluations of patients; Prescribing psychiatric medications; Meeting with and counseling the patients; Assigning patients to psychiatric hospitalization if she feels that they present a danger to themselves or others; Training staff on how to maintain a calm demeanor when dealing with angry or upset patients
Education Certifications:
Board Certified Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
Awards/Honors:
Sigma Theta Tau International; American Psychiatric Nurses Association
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Dr. Smith plans to continue treating patients at Community Counseling of Bristol County, Inc.