P. Allen Smith, MSC, CMHC

I am an experienced clinical mental health counselor and I have a history of working with clients across nearly all stages of the developmental lifespan, diverse populations and ethnicity, and numerous life issues. I have experience working with clients in mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse/dependency, relationship/marital issues, behavioral problems, and anger management. I utilize an approach heavily influenced by mindfulness and Asian-based philosophies to help clients find balance and stability in their lives. I have treated clients working on anxiety/panic, posttraumatic stress, depression, autism spectrum, ADHD, schizo-spectrum, bipolar/hypomania, oppositional-defiance, anger management, emotional regulation, marital/relationship problems, behavioral modification, substance abuse/relapse prevention, social anxiety, vocational/employment issues, goal creation/life stagnation, among other issues and disorder. I utilize an integrated use of modalities.

I studied martial arts beginning at the age of 8 and have studied nine different types in the 42 years that I have studied. I experienced trauma in multiple contexts and have learned how to cope with and overcome it all through mindfulness training and dimensional life balance. I am a Certified Integrated Mental Health Practitioner, meaning that I have knowledge of utilizing natural, herbal, nutritional, and supplemental modalities to help clients access alternatives to psychotropic pharmaceuticals. I served in the United States Army as a combat engineer Sapper and served a combat tour in Iraq from 2003 to 2004. I have taught martial arts/self-defense, coached wrestlers and mixed martial arts competitors, trained soldiers, and led youth groups. I utilize a lot of humor in my treatment approach as laughter is a highly effective but underrated, underutilized, and underappreciated legitimate therapy tool. I tend to be pretty informal in my therapeutic interactions but I still am knowledgeable and straight-laced when it is necessary. My primary and paramount interest is helping clients overcome their profound life issues and struggles through balance to help them recognize and develop their real potential for adaptability and to help them not just survive, but thrive in life. I make myself available beyond the scope of clinical sessions as I understand well that crises do not limit themselves to treatment appointments. I hope to maneuver myself into a situation one day that I may be able to provide pro bono care as mental health services tend to be expensive and limited in resources and accessibility. I do not believe in perpetual therapy so I work with clients to reach an end goal but I do so without pressure or timelines that are unrealistically short. I hope that I can help whomever comes to me for it and help them find balance, peace, and joy in a world that seems to be more hopeless over time.