Jennifer Smith , LCSW

Jennifer Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 23 years of clinical experience, grounded in both hospital and community settings. She earned a BA in Psychology from Ithaca College and began her career working in a psychiatric hospital with patients of all ages, where she assisted with psychological testing, co-led group therapy, and supported the intake process for new patients. After completing a Master of Social Work at Adelphi University, she worked in the New York City Early Intervention Program before shifting her focus to clinical psychotherapy in community mental health programs in New York and New Jersey. Those roles led to her current position as Clinical Director of a small therapeutic school serving grades 6 through 12 in Central New Jersey.

Over more than two decades, Jennifer has developed experience addressing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, social and school-related avoidance, obsessive-compulsive issues, depression, bipolar disorder, eating-related difficulties, questions about gender identity, reactive attachment concerns, personality disorders, self-injurious behaviors and suicidal ideation, anger management, and post-traumatic stress. She also works with issues such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, caregiver stress, commitment and control challenges, communication problems, mood disorders, and family and parenting struggles. Jennifer believes that one clinical approach does not fit everyone; she draws from multiple modalities and tailors treatment to each person’s goals and changing needs.

She describes her role as a flexible, non-judgmental, empathetic listener who aims to help people recognize and build on their strengths. Jennifer typically answers messages and emails in the afternoons through approximately 7pm and is not available on weekends. She is not accepting new clients at this time.