Lesley Smith (she/they)

My Approach to Helping

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Oregon and I hold a Master’s of Arts in Social Work from the University of Chicago. The primary type of therapy I use is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), with a trauma-informed, harm reduction, and anti-oppressive practice lens. I aim to be creative in my approach, meaning that I want to adapt to whatever approach best fits your needs. I have been privileged to work with individuals and groups in outpatient, shelter, and crisis service settings. I specialize in working with people with anxiety, difficulty regulating emotions, recent life transitions, and communication issues. I am here to witness your emotions, help you find harmony, and discover where you want to go.

My Values as a Therapist

My main value is safety - I want you to feel safe during our time together. This is why I also say that I use anti-oppressive practice. To me, that means that I am constantly learning and growing along with you. It means that I am open to understanding the identities that you hold, beyond the labels, with the hope that you aren't needing to educate me. This also means that I will label racism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and other oppressive systems when they show up in our time together. I do this because these systems of oppression impact our experience of the world and our relationships. I value curiosity and want to learn more about you and your relationships with the labels you hold. I take a non-judgmental stance and want to help you figure out what works best for you. also value creativity in the therapy space and want to make sure I am adjusting my approach to fit your needs. I look forward to exploring your needs and supporting you on your journey.