Dr. Jesse Smith, LMFT-AS
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Pennsylvania
AAMFT Approved Supervisor
HE/HIM
As someone with personal experience in long-term recovery, I am deeply committed to supporting others on their journey toward addiction-free lives. I actively participate in a 12-Step program and am passionate about guiding those who choose this path. However, I also understand that recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process. I respect and encourage alternative routes, whether that involves learning to moderate, exploring other mutual aid groups, or finding a unique approach that resonates with you. Early in my recovery journey, I discovered that helping others would become my life’s purpose, and I am here to support you no matter the path you choose.
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I take a holistic approach to healing, integrating the body, mind, and spirit. My methods include guided imagery, meditation, movement, and other somatic practices, all designed to foster deep healing and personal growth. I am also trained in EMDR, a widely recognized treatment for trauma, addiction, and a variety of other challenges.
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Central to my practice is the belief that self-compassion and aligning with your core values are essential components of healing. By fostering a deep sense of self-compassion, we can begin to understand and heal from our past experiences. I help clients connect with their true values, guiding them to live in a way that honors their authentic selves and promotes lasting well-being.
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Outside of my professional life, I find joy in hiking, running, practicing yoga, traveling, and immersing myself in a good book. These activities not only keep me grounded but also inspire me to bring a fresh perspective to the work I do with my clients.
Expertise:
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Traumatic Stress
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Substance Use
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Addiction & Recovery
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Men's Issues
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Anxiety & Depression
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Modalities Used:
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Internal Family Systems
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Emotion-Focused Therapy
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EMDR
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy​
INDIVIDUALS
COUPLES
FAMILIES
LGBTQIA+
Offering virtual and in-person sessions
Teaching
I believe that experiential learning is the key to engaging students in the learning process. We learn with others by doing things that we have not done before. In my role as an adjunct faculty member at Drexel University, I am passionate about teaching and supervising aspiring clinicians, ensuring they acquire effective and empathetic treatment styles through collaborative work.
​Spring 2022 & Winter 2023, Online
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This doctoral-level course will provide an in-depth exploration of the effects and consequences of addiction across multiple systems including family, community, and society. Its purpose in the program of study is to support the application and advancement of family therapy theory and practice in the prevention, treatment and recovery support for families impacted by substance use and addiction.
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Developed course from scratch during winter 2022 as part of a fully online curriculum.
​Winter 2022, Online
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The purpose of this master’s level course is to introduce the student to major family therapy theories and their relationship to general systems theory and cybernetics.
Research
Guided by my lived experience and the direction that has given me, my research centers on issues of addiction and recovery. In particular, I’m engaged in a long-term project of filling in a gap in the current literature by using more empirical, or evidence-based methods, particularly as pertains to the ongoing opioid epidemic, as well as long-term recovery outcomes and the role of the family with respect to the recovery process.
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Within this broad endeavor, I am especially focused on the experiences of individuals within minority and underserved communities in dealing with addiction and recovery. I aim to reach those who have traditionally been left behind and secure a fuller understanding of their experience. The larger goal is to help as many people as possible.
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