
I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. I left at age 20 because like so many of us, to escape myself and an unbearable situation at home. I joined the U.S. Navy and was sent to beautiful Newport, Rhode Island after completing basic training in Orlando, Florida. Unfortunately my Naval career was interrupted by a developing problem with alcohol. Alcoholism not only affects the drinker, it also affects the people who love them. Alcoholism is not a moral issue it is a disease and wants treatment.
Fortunately, through grace of a Higher Power and a lot of human help, I was able to stop using alcohol and hurting the people around me. I entered recovery and began the life-long, deep inner work of learning how to live in recovery. The journey of my own failures (and there have been many) and personal and psychological growth are what propelled me to complete my education and dedicate myself to a life of service. I have been abundantly blessed by the life recovery has given me. Today, with over thirty-six years of continuous recovery, I am radically grateful and humbled by this miraculous gift of life.
More about me …
I earned my Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) with a concentration in Social Justice from Antioch University New England (AUNE), a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family therapy (MFT) from AUNE and a Master of Divinity degree (M.Div) from Harvard University-Harvard Divinity School. My approach to helping clients is different. I don’t view people in terms of pathology or narratives of brokenness. I don’t use diagnoses to explain human challenges and struggles like discrimination, racism, microaggression, unresolved emotional & psychological pain, trauma, intimacy and loss. We work together and come up with a plan to help you get unstuck so you can heal and grow together. After 20+ years in the Mental Health profession I’ve learned that most people need to be seen, heard, understood and feel a sense of belonging. They also need a therapist with a nonjudgmental attitude who listens and accepts them for who they are. I believe all human beings have the capacity for change (if they want it). The pain many people experience is usually a sign that it’s time to make a change, step out of one’s comfort zone and take risks. There is no shame in asking for help.
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Paula M. Smith is a Clinical member of the American Association of Marriage Family Therapy, American Psychological Association, Association of Pastoral Counselors, Rhode Island Association of Marriage and Family Therapist, clinical member of IMAGO Relationship North America, Spiritual Directors International and member of the Harvard Alumni Association. She is the co-author of the article Marriage & Family Therapy Training Programs and Their Integration of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Identities published in the Journal of Feminist Family Therapy and Post Katrina Theology published in Harvard Divinity Magazine.
Dissertation Title: “Black Marriage, Attachment and Connecting in Relationships: An Observational Multi-Method Study Investigating the Effects of the Getting the Love You Want Workshop on Black Couples’ In-Session Attachment, Interactions, Marital Satisfaction and Communication.” Click here to download: https://aura.antioch.edu/etds/959/
Dr. Paula is in private practice. Her office is located at the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket, Rhode Island where she offers private intensive retreats for couples (one-couple one therapist), couples therapy, group therapy, family therapy, spiritual direction, workshops for couples and relationship therapy for single individuals. Contact: 401-782-7822 or email: dr.paulamsmith@gmail.com
Professional Affiliations
www.linkedin.com/pub/paula-m-smith/5b/274/197/


