Catherine Smith, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Community. Service. Meditation. Creativity.

Each of these has had a profound impact on my personal journey, and my professional life as a therapist. Here you will find insight into my story—what led me down this path, and why I love my work.

Supporting Hawaii since 2007

I feel blessed to be able to call Hawaii home since 2007. I hold a deep reverence for the culture and strive to make a positive contribution to this community. Whether you are hoping to ease emotional stress, process past memories, or develop more positive communication and problem solving skills, my approach integrates a variety of evidence-based modalities.

I am currently offering Telehealth therapy sessions throughout Hawaii and in New York.

Yes, I would like to schedule.

While I have been in private practice since 2011, my path to this work began far earlier. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Photography and hold a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Tulane University. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in both Hawaii and New York, and am currently pursuing a PhD in Depth Psychology with an emphasis on Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices from Pacifica Graduate Institute.

Depth Psychology

When I started the PhD program at Pacifica, I also adopted my dog—Daisy Bear. The heart-opening joy that she has brought into my life has been positively unimaginable. The process of training Daisy and the range of unexpected emotional benefits I’ve experienced because of this relationship have inspired me to focus my dissertation on better understanding the human-canine bond.

My research is specifically focused on the human-canine bond in the context of prison dog training programs (PDPs). Across the country prisons are implementing programs in which incarcerated people live with and train dogs for a variety of service-oriented tasks and purposes. For example, dogs have been trained in PDPs for roles such as: “detecting explosives, locating invasive species (e.g., termites, bed bugs), identifying disease in small tissue samples, alerting/responding to seizures, serving as companions for children with Autism, supporting military veterans with PTSD, and providing balance/support when walking for people with mobility issues” (Jalongo, 2019). PDPs have also been shown to reduce recidivism.

New York City

In 2023 I was navigating a medical journey that brought me to New York City, where I ended up living for a year while undergoing treatment. It was during this impactful experience that I fell in love with NYC—the dynamic people, the electric creativity—I reveled in the amazing art, the theater, music—the food, and I was continuously inspired by the spontaneous conversations and unexpected connections that the city so generously offers.

I have since expanded my practice to provide counseling services to New York residents. I am a member of the C. G. Jung Foundation of New York.

Cambodia Children’s Fund

As 2025 came to a close, I had the the privilege of visiting Cambodia Children’s Fund (CCF) and I was deeply impressed by their integrity, thoughtfulness, and effectiveness.

I am thrilled to be in the early stages of working together to bring to life a new arts based youth leadership initiative called The Youth Media & Podcast Studio project.

For over twenty years, Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) has transformed the lives of children and families from the Steung Meanchey community through high‑quality education, health care, community support, leadership development, and pathways to meaningful employment. CCF’s approach is holistic: education is combined with nutrition, health services, safe housing, child protection, and strong community relationships.

Within this model, CCF has built a particularly strong reputation in STEM/STEAM, youth leadership, and girls’ empowerment.

The Youth Media & Podcast Studio will celebrate and amplify their voices, so that stories of resilience, leadership, and change are told by the young people and families who live them. At the same time, it will equip students with strong communication digital literacy, and media production skills –exactly the abilities they need to thrive in higher education and in today’s modern workforce. CCF already has many of the building blocks in place:

A strong STEM program at NCA and across CCF schools, with hands‑on, project‑based learning.
Proven youth leadership programs where young people plan and deliver community activities.
A track record of outstanding student and alumni stories, including students now studying multimedia and filmmaking.

The Youth Media & Podcast Studio will connect these strengths into a dedicated space and program that empowers CCF’s young people to share their own stories and perspectives.

Please email me if you are interested in donating to The Youth Media & Podcast Studio project!

Click here to see CCF Youth Media & Podcast Studio project Informational Booklet

My roots in community service

In 2005, while I was attending Tulane University in New Orleans, and working on my Master’s thesis with the Tibetan refugee community in Dharamshala, India, the arrival of Hurricane Katrina brought the loss of my home and belongings as well as new clarity in my life work. This was the first time I had ever experienced real personal loss, and I was awed by the genuine concern and compassion shown by the Tibetan community despite the severity of their own circumstances. It was this demonstration of warmth, selflessness and loving kindness that impacted me most.…and it was contagious.

I came back from India to New Orleans with a strong sense of thankfulness for the things I did have and a determination to immerse myself in the grassroots efforts that were popping up around the city aimed at assisting returning residents. By turning my focus towards helping others, rather than my own losses, I was able to find meaning in the devastation. As so often happens, I went to India and came back to New Orleans thinking that I would be “helping” but found that I gained much more than I could ever have given. I still find that lesson to be true today and feel fortunate to work with clients who teach me so much.

The New Orleans Kid Camera Project

One of the most creative outcomes was founding the New Orleans Kid Camera Project along with two fellow Tulane MSW students. The NOKCP was a social justice art project focused on supporting children affected by Hurricane Katrina to express themselves, tell their stories, and process their experiences and emotions through photography, creative writing, and mixed media.

To learn more please visit: The New Orleans Kid Camera Project website

In 2013, I traveled to Haiti to work with youth in Rivière Froide, a community just outside Port‑au‑Prince, where I co‑directed youth media initiative blending social work and the arts. The program focused on expanding opportunities for creative expression through photography, visual storytelling, and media arts.

Participants documented their lives and surroundings, producing work that amplified their voices and perspectives. GoPros and a field trip to the Caribbean Sea were introduced into the curriculum and this portion of the program was especially well-received by the youth who rarely have opportunities to travel outside their community or swim in the sea.

Still learning

I continue to engage in personal retreats studying yoga and meditation techniques that make a perspective of compassion and loving kindness possible. Additionally, I take part in professional training and conferences as new treatment approaches emerge. As a result, my skill set as a therapist is always growing to help me best meet the needs of my clients.