My treatment philosophy

I take a holistic approach to understanding each client and their unique presenting concerns. I appreciate that our mind, body, spirit, and relationships are all intertwined and intimately affected by one another. I try to focus on each client's strengths and talents in addition to their struggles and areas for growth.

I have a flexible therapeutic style that draws from several major theoretical approaches to psychotherapy. At a basic level, I believe that there is inherent value in increasing self-understanding and self-acceptance. As clients come to a deeper appreciation for how their personal history can affect their current feelings, motivations, and relationships, they often feel more grounded and better able to make well-informed decisions about how to live their lives in a rewarding manner.

Useful info

For the public

Read more about the HPCA Act, the Board, and the Board’s functions. Find out what psychologists do and how you can have your concerns about a psychologist’s competence, fitness, or conduct...

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Psychology training

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Education

I graduated from Ohio University with my Bachelor's Degree in 1971. Graduate school began a year later, first attending Xavier University. Transferring to Marshall University for one year, I returned to my favorite university and completed my Master's Degree in 1976. After working many years, I returned to Ohio University and completed my Ph.D. in 1989. My Psychologist license was granted in 1990.

Work Experience

In 1971 I was hired by the psychology department of Portsmouth Receiving Hospital, a short-term psychiatric facility operated by the Ohio Department of Mental Health. I completed my graduate studies while working at this facility. During the 1990's I returned to work for several years as their Consulting Psychologist.

Hospital Practice

Over the years, I have worked as a Consulting Psychologist for hospitals in the region. These hospitals include Southern Ohio Medical Center, River Valley Health Systems, and Adena Regional Medical Center. At Adena RMC in the early 1990's, I provided psychology consultation for their new Counseling Center which is now a major provider of mental health services in the region.

My standards

When considering concerns about a practitioner, take account of the standards and documents listed below. You can download these documents from this website. Printed copies of Board documents can be provided on request (email here: contact me).

the relevant Core Competencies for Psychologists (including cultural competencies and additional competencies for vocational scopes of practice);

the Code of Ethics for Psychologists Working in Aotearoa New Zealand 2002 (English version, or see Te Reo version here);

any relevant Best Practice Guidelines adopted or published by gillian;

the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act 2003;

the Board’s adopted Decision Guidelines Relating to Parts 3 & 4 of the HPCA Act.

Testimonials

After being committed to numerous institutions and rehabs, and seeing multiple psychologists, the thought of happiness was a distant possibility for me. By the time I met Dr. Smith, I was in the grips of my addiction, and believed there was no other way for me to live. I had lost all sense of direction, and Dr. GIllian Smith helped me uncover many layers of my emotional pain to help me get a new perspective on my life.

Jessica Moore

Gillian has been a big part of my life. I have felt so comfortable telling her everything that was going on with me and she helped me more than I could have ever imagined. She was there during some really ugly times and was always the first person I wanted to talk to. I so appreciate everything that she has done for me. I never knew I could feel that safe.

Paula Davis

Dr. Smith epitomizes the ideal of what an outstanding psychotherapist should be. She doesn´t just sit back and listen; she actively and constructively participates in every therapeutic session. She is a caring person who always gives constructive advice about how to resolve our conflicts and deal with the issues that trouble us. She is like a wise member of our family whose advice and counseling is objective and heartfelt.

Dorothy Franklin