Development tools for a better you
407-355-7378
Amy V. Smith, MS, LMHC, NCC
Qualifications
Licensed Mental Health Counselor #10452
Registered Play Therapist
National Certified Counselor
Co-Owner Life Skills Resource Group
Specialized Training
Sand Tray Play Therapy, 120 hours specialized training
Behavior Therapy Training Institute, 21 hours specialized OCD training
AAMET Emotional Freedom Techniques Levels 1-3
EMDR level 1 and 2 training
Contact Info
Call 407-355-7378
Amy V. Smith helps children, teens, adults, and families, through individual and family counseling
Child, Adolescent, Teen, and Adult Counseling, Play Therapy, Sand Tray
Do you feel that you or your child struggles with communicating wants, needs, thoughts, and feelings? Would you or your child benefit from the chance to build confidence and learn new tools to be successful in life? Have you lost hope in your ability to help yourself or your child? Do you feel like anxiety and depression are taking up a large part of your day?
If any of this feels like you, know there is help. You or your child deserve a life filled with happiness, confidence, and the motivation to live your dreams. It is my passion to help children, adolescents, teens, and adults find balance while they are struggling with life-changing events, past trauma, and the daily pressures in their lives. I believe active listening, empathy, and the therapeutic relationship provide the foundation for positive change through counseling.
I understand that everyone wants the best in life for their child, their self, and their family; sometimes they just need guidance, support, new ideas, and hope. My work focuses on helping children, teens, adolescents, adults, and families through individual and family counseling. My clinical experience has included helping others to address stress, anxiety, depression, OCD, self-harm, defiance, anger, grief and loss, ADHD, divorce, low self-esteem, social skills, co-dependence, communication skills, and more.
My approach is to offer a non-judgmental space for you or your child to identify patterns, blocks, and coping skills that are either working or not working in your life. Once these have been identified new tools can be introduced to replace the ones that are not serving you. Through collaboration, assigned homework, and the therapeutic process we will come up with strategies and tools to help you safely move through your feelings and emotions. In working together you or your child can gain the confidence needed to express wants, needs, thoughts, and feelings in a way that is healthy for you. It is my philosophy that with awareness and a positive outlook, change can happen. My goal is the tools you learn will carry on long after our work together is complete.
In my work with children, adolescents, and some teens I understand sometimes they do not have the words to express their wants, needs, thoughts, and feelings. The therapeutic powers of play offer an opportunity to my clients to prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development. I integrate Play Therapy, Sand Tray Play Therapy, and Expressive Arts Therapy in sessions because play is essentially words for kids. I collaborate with parents and children to implement skills and tools that will help the entire family grow through increased communication and working together as a team. The play therapy room in my office is both inviting and therapeutic for my clients, which helps facilitate positive change.
When life is a struggle and change is taking place life can be more difficult. You don’t have to do it alone. I can partner with you, your family, or your child to help through the difficult times and help gain the strength needed to be successful and happy. Counseling can change your life. It may not be easy, but the reward is often reconnecting with your stronger, more confident self. How could that be bad?
I believe you have already taken the first step by spending time on this site. It would be my honor to help you the rest of the way.
I can be reached by phone at 407-355-7378 or e-mail amyvsmith@me.com for a free phone consultation or to set an appointment.
Read more about Play Therapy and Sand Tray Play Therapy.
Read more about Teen Counseling.
Read more about Family Counseling.
Read blog articles by Amy.
Credentials:
Licensed Mental Health Counselor state of Florida MH #10452
Registered Play Therapist
National Certified Counselor #279253
Education:
Troy University
Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology, May 2008
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, December 2001
Experience:
Life Skills Resource Group
Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Co-Owner
ESTEEM Academy
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Behavioral Support Services
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
KidsKonnect
Group Facilitator
A Better Therapy
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare
Forensic Liaison
Intensive Case Manager
Additional Post Graduate Education:
Qualified Supervisor Training, Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, February, 2012
Behavior Therapy Training Institute, UNC Chapel Hill, 2011
AAMET Emotional Freedom Techniques Level 3, Orlando, FL, 2011
AAMET Emotional Freedom Techniques Level 1 & 2, Orlando, FL, 2010
Certified Prepare Enrich Facilitator, Troy University, Orlando, FL, April, 2009
Professional Associations:
International OCD Foundation
National Board of Certified Counselors
American Counseling Association
Association for Play Therapy
Leadership Roles:
Florida Counseling Association
Secretary- 2010-2011- Florida Counseling Association
President- 2010-2011- Florida Association of Marriage and Family Counselors
Secretary- 2009-2010- Florida Association of Marriage and Family Counselors
Newsletter Chair-2009-2010 – Florida Association of Marriage and Family Counselors
Committee Member- 2010- Leadership Development Conference
Membership Chair, Florida Counseling Association, 2009-2010
Chi Sigma Tau Upsilon– Board Member- 2009-2010
Seminars and Workshops Presented:
Counselor Wellness and the Emotional Freedom Technique
Chi Sigma Iota, Troy University Orlando, Sept. 2011
Stress, Anxiety, Worry- What to Do With It
Girls Empowerment Workshop, Orlando, FL July 2011
Getting Back to Basics
Leadership Development Conference- Florida Counseling Association, June 2010
Empowering All Facets of Counseling: What Mental Health and School Counselors Can Learn from Each Other
Florida Counseling Association 60th Anniversary Convention, Nov. 2009
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Cherokee School, 2009
Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Cherokee School, 2009
Continuing Education:
Sand Tray Play Therapy Level 5
Sean Jennings, Psy.D. & Aimee Jennings, LMHC, The Institute of Playful Healing, July, 2014
Telling Therapeutic Stories in the Sand Tray: The Moving Stories Play Therapy Method
Sue Carroll Duffy, Psy.D., RPT-S, Florida Association for Play Therapy, February 2014.
Sand Tray Play Therapy Level 4
Sean Jennings, Psy.D. & Aimee Jennings, LMHC, The Institute of Playful Healing, Sept, 2013.
Sand Tray Play Therapy Level 3
Sean Jennings, Psy.D. & Aimee Jennings, LMHC, The Institute of Playful Healing, Aug, 2013.
Sand Tray Play Therapy Level 2
Sean Jennings, Psy.D. & Aimee Jennings, LMHC, The Institute of Playful Healing, July, 2013.
Sand Tray Play Therapy Level 1
Sean Jennings, Psy.D. & Aimee Jennings, LMHC, The Institute of Playful Healing, July, 2013.
Practical DBT Strategies for the Assessment and Treatment of Self-Injury
Pre-Conference at the 8th Annual International Society for the Study of Self-Injury Convention, DBT Centre of Vancouver, INC., June, 2013.
Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts and Play Therapy Interventions: Healing Trauma and Building Resilience
Cathy Malchiodi, Ph.D., LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, Florida Association for Play Therapy, March, 2013
Foundations of Disaster Mental Health Training
David J. Romano, Ph.D., American Red Cross, University of Central Florida, February, 2013
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workshop
Patricia Bach, Ph.D., University of Central Florida, January, 2013
Ethics and Boundaries
Elite Continuing Education, January, 2013
Domestic Violence
Elite Continuing Education, December, 2012
Medical Errors
Elite Continuing Education, December, 2012
The Future of the Clinical Mental Health Profession
Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, February, 2012
Positive Psychology: Applying the Science of Happiness
Bob Decker, MA, LMHC, March, 2012
Stand Up and Be Counted- FCA 61st Annual Convention
Florida Counseling Association, November, 2010
Suicide Prevention
University of South Florida, March, 2010
Child & Adolescent Counseling Academy
American Counseling Association, March, 2010
Leadership Development Conference
Florida Counseling Association, June, 2010
Celebrating All Facets of Counseling- FCA 60th Annual Convention
Florida Counseling Association, November, 2009
Solutions for Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Jim West, LMHC, PSI Youth Services, September, 2009
The Hook Up Mentality
Jim West, LMHC, PSI Youth Services, August 2009
Princess Disorder
Tori Kelley, Ph.D., LMHC, PSI Youth Services, July, 2009
Extreme Make-Over- FCA Leadership Development Conference
Florida Counseling Association, June, 2009
How to Manage A Public Shooting Incident and Understanding the Psychology of Shooters
Dwight Bain, PSI Youth Services, June, 2009
An Integrated Approach to Treating Abused and Traumatized Children
Eliana Gil, Ph.D., RPT-S, Florida Association for Play Therapy, May, 2009
Understanding Medical Necessity
Behavioral Support Services, Inc., April, 2009
Suicide Awareness & Prevention
Debbie Coleman, PSI Youth Services, April, 2009
Reactive Attachment Disorder & Treatment
Charles Stevens, Psy.D., PSI Youth Services, April 2009
Cyber Crimes
Catherine Marlow, Sector Chief Child Predator Cyber Crimes Unit & Frank Heinzman, investigations, PSI Youth Services, March 2009
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
CE Units at Home, January, 2009
Counselors: Riding the Wave of Change- FCA 59th Annual Convention
Florida Counseling Association, November, 2008
Children’s Functional Assessment Rating Scale
University of South Florida, April, 2007
AIDS Update
Winter Park Tech, June 2006, June 2005, May 2004
Functional Assessment Rating Scale
University of South Florida, May 2005
Women and Co-Occurring Disorders
University of South Florida, CMH Online Education, December, 2004
Co-Occurring Disorders in Persons in the Justice System
University of South Florida, CMH Online Education, December, 2004
Responsive Services and Supports for Persons with Co-Occurring Disorders
University of South Florida, CMH Online Education, November, 2004
Adolescents and Co-Occurring Disorders
University of South Florida, CMH Online Education, November, 2004
Co-Occurring Disorders Among Older Adults
University of South Florida, CMH Online Education, November, 2004
Evidence-Based Treatment Models for C0-Occurring Disorders
University of South Florida, CMH Online Education, September, 2004
Creating Treatment Programs for Persons with Co-Occurring Disorders
University of South Florida, CMH Online Education, August, 2004
Understanding the Needs of Persons with Co-Occurring Disorders
University of South Florida, CMH Online Education, June, 2004
Issues and Techniques in the Assessment of Co-Occurring Disorders
University of South Florida, CMH Online Education, June, 2004?.
Medicaid Managed Care Training
Florida Department of Children and Families, January, 2003
OSS and Community Living Support Plan Training for Limited Mental Health Licensed Assisted Living Facilities
Florida DCF Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Office, December, 2003
Heartsaver CPR
American Heart Association, Winter Park Tech, June, 2004
Person to Person CCMS Case Manager Training
Florida Department of Children and Families, May, 2002
Proudly serving clients in Central Florida’s Orange County and Osceola County, including Orlando, Southwest Orlando, Dr. Phillips, Metrowest, Windermere, Gotha, Hunters Creek, Hunter’s Creek, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Celebration, Southchase, Poinciana, Lake Nona, Lake Wales, Southchase, Bay Hill, Clermont, Lakeland, Minneola, St. Cloud, Lake Buena Vista, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Mount Dora, Davenport, Haines City, Conway, Groveland, Azalea Park, Sebring, The Villages, Avalon Park, UCF, East Orlando, Waterford Lakes, Oviedo, Maitland, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Kissimmee, Longwood, Apopka, College Park, Orlando, Dr. Phillips, Metrowest, Windermere, Gotha, Hunters Creek, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Celebration, Southchase, Orange County, Osceola County. Behind the Bay Hill 7-Eleven in the Village Office Center.