Downtown Psychological Services

Hi, I'm Amelia Smith, a licensed psychologist in Bend, Oregon. I have dedicated my career to helping individuals navigate life's challenges and cultivate a sense of well-being. For the past decade, I've had the privilege of working with diverse populations, providing a range of services across various settings. My journey began at the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center, where I gained invaluable experience in crisis intervention, risk assessment, and counseling for stressed parents. This early experience ignited my passion for supporting families and strengthening the bonds within them.

My next chapter led me to an elementary school in San Rafael, California, where I served as a school therapist. There, I had the opportunity to work with children on an individual level, utilizing behavioral therapy and play therapy to address their unique needs. I also facilitated group therapy sessions, focusing on crucial themes such as divorce, social skill development, and grief, knowing that shared experiences can be incredibly healing.

Furthering my commitment to supporting families, I joined the Family Service Agency of Marin, leading a group for parents navigating the complexities of high-conflict divorce. I recognized the profound impact divorce can have on families and aimed to provide a safe space for parents to heal and develop healthy coping strategies. Coupled with this, I provided individual therapy to a population of at-risk children, adolescents, and adults in the Marin City area, working tirelessly to empower them to overcome adversity.

My professional journey culminated in a pre-doctoral residency at the Psychological Services Center in Oakland, California. In this diverse setting, I honed my skills in group and individual therapy, case management, consultation, and crisis intervention within a high school environment. One of my proudest accomplishments during this time was leading weekly group therapy sessions focusing on Mindfulness Training and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), both evidence-based approaches that have proven effective in managing stress, building resilience, and fostering emotional well-being. This role also saw me conduct adult individual therapy and case management, in addition to family therapy, within the community clinic setting. My expertise extended to psycho-educational and psycho-diagnostic assessments for both children and adults, and I had the rewarding experience of providing weekly supervision to graduate students in the Clinical Counseling program at Alliant International University, nurturing the next generation of mental health professionals.

Now, I bring my extensive experience and unwavering dedication to my private practice at Downtown Psychological Services in Bend, Oregon.

Services

I am dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of services to meet the unique needs of each individual client. My approach is client-centered, meaning I prioritize your goals and values, creating a collaborative therapeutic environment where you feel heard, understood, and supported. My services include:

• Individual Therapy: Offering a safe and confidential space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we'll work to identify the roots of your challenges, develop coping strategies, and cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and emotional well-being.
• Group Therapy: Providing a platform for connection and shared experience, group therapy offers the opportunity to learn from others, develop social skills, and gain valuable insights into your own patterns and behaviors.
• Mindfulness Training: Teaching practical techniques to cultivate present moment awareness and reduce stress. Mindfulness practices can be incredibly beneficial for managing anxiety, improving focus, and fostering greater emotional regulation.
• Stress Management Training: Equipping you with tools and strategies to effectively manage stress and prevent burnout. This training can include techniques such as relaxation exercises, time management strategies, and healthy coping mechanisms.
• Supervision: Providing guidance and support to fellow therapists as they navigate their professional development. My supervision is rooted in a collaborative and reflective approach, fostering growth and ethical practice.

Specialties

I have particular expertise in working with individuals experiencing a wide range of challenges, including:

• Trauma and PTSD: Providing a compassionate and validating space for individuals who have experienced trauma. Through evidence-based therapies, I can help you process your experiences, heal from past wounds, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
• Anxiety: Helping individuals understand and manage their anxiety effectively. This may involve exploring the underlying causes of anxiety, developing coping strategies, and practicing relaxation techniques.
• Depression: Providing support and guidance to individuals struggling with depression. My goal is to help you regain a sense of hope, joy, and purpose in your life.
• Mindfulness: Facilitating mindfulness practices to help individuals cultivate present moment awareness, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
• Parenting Issues: Supporting parents in navigating the challenges of raising children. This may include addressing issues such as communication, discipline, and setting healthy boundaries.
• Bipolar Disorder: Working with individuals to manage their mood swings and navigate the complexities of bipolar disorder. This may involve developing coping strategies, medication management, and lifestyle modifications.
• Coping Skills: Empowering individuals with practical tools and techniques to cope with stress, adversity, and life's challenges. This can include relaxation techniques, problem-solving skills, and self-care strategies.
• Divorce: Providing support and guidance to individuals navigating the emotional and practical challenges of divorce. This may include addressing grief, anger, and loneliness, as well as developing strategies for moving forward in a positive direction