LISA KING SMITH, ED.S, LPC, CPCS
"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." ~ Viktor Frankl |
Photo Credit: Zach Dailey
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Consulting & Coaching
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Mental Health Specialties
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Face to Face and TeleMental Health Options Available
About Me and My Background
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Georgia,working in private practice. I have also served on the Board of Directors for the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of GA (LPCA-GA) in the capacity of President for 2018-19 and Immediate Past-President for 2019-20. Prior to that, I served as President-Elect for 2017-18 and 4 terms as the Western District Chair and Co-Chair for LPCA-GA. LPCA-GA is the state chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA). Additionally, I am certified through the International Trauma Training Institute as a Clinical Trauma Professional, and as a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Practitioner, certified through the Mental Health Integrative Medicine Institute.
Additionally, I serve my profession in several capacities. I am certified by LPCA-GA as a Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), where I provide Clinical Supervision for those seeking full licensure as an LPC in Georgia. I was awarded the Professional Advocacy Award in May 2019 by my alma mater, The University of West Georgia for my work on the Board of Directors and as President of the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia. In addition, as of July 2019, I was honored to serve a 3 year term as a member of the University of West Georgia's Alumni Board of Directors. When I have time or inspiration, I occasionally write mental health related editorial content for West Georgia Woman Magazine and was featured in their November 2019 issue in the "Celebrate Her Success" section. So far, I have contributed to the December 2016, July 2017, October 2018 and January 2020 issues. As of August 2023, I serve as a member of the Counselor Education Advisory Board for the University of West Georgia. The main purpose of the UWG CEP Advisory Board is to help the counselor education program maintain accountability for its vision, to advise the program on how it is or is not meeting goals, and to address issues of concern and possibly develop strategies to address these concerns as it relates to training future Psychotherapists.
Education
In addition to a Bachelor's & a Master's Degree in Psychology, I also have a professional degree of Specialist (EdS) in Professional Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Supervision from the University of West Georgia. My academic interests primarily concentrated on spiritual & mindful parenting, attachment, spirituality, integrative health & nutritional Psychology, lifespan human development, resilience, compassion fatigue & humor (particularly dark humor) as a protective factor against burnout and vicarious trauma. I am currently working toward a Master of Science in Integrative Health & Wellness at the University of West Georgia.
Clinical Requirements
LPC’s are the lowest paid, yet highest educated of most healthcare professionals outside of those that require a medical degree or doctorate. In Georgia, LPCs are required to have at least a Master's degree in Professional Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Applied Psychology through a 60 hour CACREP accredited program of study (the average Master’s program in other fields of study is 36-45 hours). In addition, we must also pass a national clinical mental health counseling exam, complete 2 required semester long, unpaid clinical internships (totaling 600 hours) through our clinical mental heath counseling graduate program, along with 2 years of clinical supervision after graduating, while working under a Director as an Associate Professional Counselor (APC). APC’s cannot accept most insurance, and therefore must accept a sliding scale and/or lower pay than a fully licensed independent counselor. Once licensed, APCs & LPC’s are also required to complete 35 hours of continuing education credits every 2 years. Combined, I have over 15 years of experience in clinical mental health and am also certified as a Counselor Supervisor, which after initial training and certification, requires an additional 12 hours of continuing education training every 2 years.
Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching
There is a lot of undeniable overlap between mental health and physical health. I have been fascinated with this link for many years. As a result, I am currently actively working toward another advanced degree. At this time, I am part of the inaugural cohort of the Master of Science degree program in Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching at the University of West Georgia through the College of Education’s Physical Education department of Community Health & Wellness. When I complete the Integrative Health and Wellness Masters program I will be eligible to sit for The National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching exam for certification. Currently, education and certification are not required for any type of coaching, however, best practices emphasize education and training as well as certification and ongoing continuing education to help ensure the best quality of care. After I complete the program and become certified, I will be launching a separate practice to serve clients who wish to exclusively receive health and wellness coaching from an integrative & holistic perspective. In the meantime, be sure to check out my blog where I will be writing about helpful apps and information regarding health & wellness.
More About Me
I work full time as a Clinical Therapist in private practice in Carrollton, GA. Prior to that I was also at Dallas Family Counseling Center, in Dallas, GA. I work individually & in small groups with a caseload of clients providing mental health services to parents, children, families, adolescents, couples and adults. From 2013-2015 I worked at Murphy Harpst Children's Center where I was a Primary Clinical Therapist for difficult to place, severely traumatized foster children, and teens stepping down from the juvenile justice system. I also worked for a comprehensive private practice Psychiatric behavioral medicine clinic for 2 years, where I provided individual counseling, Psychiatric evaluations, marketing, community outreach, events, & program development. While there, I also facilitated and case managed individual, family & group counseling for our intensive outpatient program (IOP) for addiction & recovery with dual diagnosis, as well as co-leading a mental health women's therapy group along with counseling patients individually.
I have been working in and out of the mental health field in some capacity since 1992. In that time, I have worked at Burwell alternative school as a support teacher, as a Clinical Therapist, Community Support Specialist & Clinical Assessor, for Tanner at Willowbrooke, a Parent Educator for Morningstar Family Resources, and a Therapist at Phoenix Resource Center & Family Intervention Specialists. I have been a social services Professional Trainer on HIPAA, confidentiality, case management & ethics for Pathways Community Network of GA, a Mentor Coordinator for the Carrollton, GA Housing Authority & I have worked as a Crisis Counselor in domestic violence in Fayette County, GA. For 3 years, I worked as a university Academic Advisor and as an academic Program Coordinator at a two year college, where I taught part time concurrently at a private high school and at a two year college, teaching student success, intro Psychology and personal relationships courses. In 2012, I served as the Director of Enrollment & Communication for the College of Education at the University of West Georgia. There, I was in charge of events, social media, web site, marketing, newsletters, advertising, online and print marketing material, communications, public relations, outreach & recruiting, as well as student, alumni & faculty relations. Finally, for 8 years I worked with 1 primary freelance client. At that time, I managed the 800+ member, state chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, an international in-house, corporate lawyer membership association.
Other Places to Find Me
- In November of 2020 I contributed to this article about relationships and conflict.
- The November 2019 issue of West Georgia Woman Magazine features an article about my story and my private practice. "Celebrate Her Success. Lisa King, LPC Healing Hearts in Carrollton" is on pages 34-42. I was very excited to be approached by the publisher about this feature article in a regional magazine.
- I was honored to have been interviewed by Voyage ATL Magazine in November of 2017. Read my story: ATL's Most Inspiring Stories: Meet Lisa King.
- My friends at Underground Books recently featured a selection of self care books that I and another local therapist friend recommended. Check it out!
Personal
I am a single mom to 3 young adult daughters, but in my spare time, I very much enjoy cooking, gardening, watching independent movies, listening to music & seeing live music shows, reading, traveling, meditation, walking & hiking in nature, being active in my community & in my professional field, & spending time with friends and family.
