Jennifer Smith, LCSW

BS, engineering, Technical University of Denmark
MBA, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

My education consists of both a Master’s (MSW) and Bachelor’s (BSW) in social work from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. I have been fully licensed (LCSW) in both Florida and Georgia and an NASW and GSCW approved supervisor.

Throughout the various settings I’ve worked in, populations I have worked with, and roles I had, my approach remains the same- meet every person where they are at while encouraging change, “be firm in what you do and kind in how you do it.” I wholeheartedly believe in taking a non-shaming and non-judgmental approach, encouraging self-worth and self-empowerment, paving the path rediscovering your true and best self. Prior to joining the herd at Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery, I served as the Clinical Director for multiple facilities that treated primary substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and eating disorders. I have several years of experience creating evidenced-based curriculums, providing individual and group clinical supervision, and program development in the field of substance abuse, mental health, eating disorders, and trauma. I also have direct experience and teaching Master’s level courses in the field of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. I have served as trained facilitator for the Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN) by providing support and monitoring to nurses and medical professionals with impairing conditions such as substance use disorders, psychiatric and physical conditions to protect the health, safety and welfare of patients while assisting each to maintain professional licensure. I am certified in Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT), Psychodrama, Military Sexual Trauma (MST). I also serve as an Adjunct Professor for the Master of Social Work Program at Kennesaw State University and have served as a Supervisor for Master’s level Social Work Interns with various Accredited Universities. Prior to my professional journey in Georgia, I had the distinct honor to worked at Wayside House in Delray Beach, FL, which has been providing a safe and supportive haven for women grappling with alcohol and drug addiction since 1974. During my time at Wayside house, I served as a lead primary therapist in their residential, IOP, and Outpatient Programs. Working with mothers in recovery fueled my passion to help parents who struggle with addiction to resolve the shame, guilt, and stigma so many parents experience due to their addictions that they often keep hidden and stay silent about. My lifelong connection with horses and devotion in healing trauma fueled my passion for Equine Therapy, developing therapy programs and continued service work with rescue horses. As I often say, “I entered this arena,” over 16 years ago, not knowing what it would bring or where I would go. I say, “the arena,” rather than this field or profession, it is to reference the “Man In The Arena,” speech and the stable arena’s because there, what matters most is not how much you know but rather how much you care.

In all the journeys we take in our lives we must choose to either sit idle in the stands or act and enter the arena. It takes real courage to be the person who’s in the arena… who spends themselves in a worthy cause, who at best knows in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if they fail, at least they fail while daring greatly.”

“A Ship in Harbor is Safe, But That’s Not What Ships Are Built For.”

– John A. Shedd

Rebuild. Reconnect. Recover.