Maryann Smolko
Kennesaw,GA
Summary
Empathetic Psychotherapist with progressive experience across various mental health settings, including residential treatment, the public school system, non-profit organizations, and private practice. Proven to build client rapport easily through unique therapeutic approaches to promote client's health and growth.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Psychotherapist
Avenues of Change LLC
Kennesaw, GA
2013 - Current
- Provide therapy to adolescents, adults and families.
- Provide psychotherapy services including cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused therapy, and family systems therapy.
- Educate clients on healthy coping strategies to reduce stress levels and improve overall wellbeing.
- Develop individual courses of treatment for each patient by evaluating goals, mental health and practical conditions.
- Monitor client progress throughout the course of treatment and adjusted therapeutic approaches accordingly.
- Coach and counsel client to manage mental health disorders, develop coping skills, life skills, and increase daily life functioning.
Pychotherapist - Co-Founder and Co-Owner
STRIVE LLC
Conyers, GA
01.2009 - 12.2023
- Provided outpatient individual and group counseling services to adolescent and adult female victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
- Provided outpatient counseling to both victim and the family.
- Provided skill-building and vocational group services to recovering female victims of sexual exploitation.
- Provided consultation services to organizations and professionals treating young victims of sexual exploitation.
- Provided training to facilities interested in providing services to victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
- Created and facilitated DBT groups.
GRAA PROGAM SPECIALIST
Cobb County School District, Kemp Elementary
Marietta, Georgia
08.2010 - 06.2012
- Delivered a school-based substance use prevention program to middle school students by teaching assertiveness skills and resistance strategies to lead a drug-free lifestyle.
- Processed the role peer pressure plays in students’ lives.
- Coordinated and attended activities with the Cobb Underage Drinking Task Force.
- Coordinated training efforts with schools and applicable partners.
- Input data from assessments to determine outcome measures.
Clinical Therapist
Devereux Foundation
Kennesaw, GA
06.2010 - 08.2010
- Completed 14 day assessments and made appropriate recommendations to community providers and facilities.
- Consulted with psychiatrists, nurses, and other community providers following initial assessment.
- Performed case management duties.
- Completed documentation and biopsychosocial histories in a timely manner.
Adolescent and Family Therapist
Angela's House - Inner Harbour
Douglasville, GA
01.2004 - 12.2009
- Conducted individual, group and family therapy sessions.
- Utilized therapeutic interventions to treat PTSD symptoms associated with the sexual exploitation.
- Developed and facilitated a specially designed sexual exploitation group.
- Facilitated family support groups.
- Counseled individuals and families to improve client and family
functioning. - Helped clients set goals and develop healthy decision making skills to coordinate with the direction of their future.
- Ensured clients received a complete assessment to make certain that their mental health and chemical dependency challenges were properly diagnosed and treated.
- Facilitated Dialectical Behavior Therapy skill groups to help clients learn skill-building techniques to function more appropriately in the community.
- Facilitated Chemical Dependency groups.
- Designed and implemented creative group programs addressing self- esteem, coping and assertiveness skills.
- Worked as a liaison within the community to make appropriate referrals to ensure continuum of care for discharging clients.
- Provided clinical supervision and training to counselors and graduate-level psychology interns.
- Performed assessment interviews and completed reports to evaluate the appropriateness of a client into the program.
- Administered and rated assessment tools to provide accurate outcome measures.
Adolescent and Family Therapist
Inner Harbour Hospital
Douglasville, GA
01.2002 - 12.2004
- Conducted individual, group and family therapy sessions.
- Helped clients develop appropriate social skills and skill-building tools to function more fully in the community.
- Performed psychosocial assessments and completed mental status exams to determine course of action.
- Led psychotherapy groups utilizing modalities and approaches which addressed developmental needs of the client.
- Facilitated family support groups.
- Assisted in the formulation of individualized treatment plans and aftercare
plans.
Education
Master of Arts - Counseling Psychology
10-2003
- Abnormal Psychology
- Career Counseling and Lifestyle Development
- Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
- Human Development and Learning
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
05-1993
Skills
- Therapy and Counseling
- Emotional Awareness
- Cognitive Psychology
- Client Goal Planning
- Developing Relationships
Certification
- Certified Clinical Trama Professional (CCTP)
- Certified Anger Management Specialist (CAMS -II)
- Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (Awaiting Certification)
TRAININGS -
- Intensive DBT
- Animal and Equine Assisted Therapy
- Experiential Therapy - Ropes Course
- Substance Abuse
- QPRT Suicide Risk Assessment Training
Accomplishments
- Was awarded a grant from the Governor's Office of Children and Families to create an aftercare curriculum for adolescent female victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
- Was contracted by Devereux Foundation to create a group curriculum to address the needs of female victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
- Chosen by NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) to participate in the Family Advocacy Outreach Network providing emergency therapy services.
PRESENTATIONS -
- “Lessons Learned and Practicing Promises” National Symposium on the Health Needs of Human Trafficking Victims - Washington D.C. (2008)
- “Keys to Unlocking Student Success- Keeping it Real Program” - Marietta, Ga. (2012)
- Sexual Exploitation Therapy 101 - Willowbrook - Tanner Health System - Carrollton, Ga. (2014)
- STRIVE GROUP CURRICULUM - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2018)
Timeline
GRAA PROGAM SPECIALIST - Cobb County School District, Kemp Elementary
08.2010 - 06.2012
Clinical Therapist - Devereux Foundation
06.2010 - 08.2010
Pychotherapist - Co-Founder and Co-Owner - STRIVE LLC
01.2009 - 12.2023
Adolescent and Family Therapist - Angela's House - Inner Harbour
01.2004 - 12.2009
Adolescent and Family Therapist - Inner Harbour Hospital
01.2002 - 12.2004
Psychotherapist - Avenues of Change LLC
2013 - Current
Georgia School of Professional Psychology - Argosy - Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology
Quincy University - Bachelor of Arts, Psychology