About Lauren D. Smith
Lauren D. Smith is a psychotherapist, artist, educator and author. She owns and operates Lauren Smith Creative Arts Therapy, PLLC and is based in both New York and New Mexico.
Lauren has provided clinical services and consultation for a broad range of populations and settings including medical/surgical, inpatient and outpatient, outpatient psychiatric, community-based programs, education and residential rehabilitation. She worked at Mount Sinai Hospital from 2013-2021, serving as a Senior Psychotherapist and Child Life Specialist with the renowned Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and the Lillian and Benjamin Hertzberg Institute for Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, New York.
She also practiced as Senior Art Psychotherapist/ Child Life Specialist and KidZone TV Producer (KZTV) in the Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai in New York where she developed therapeutic television programming for children and families in the hospital.
Lauren has been a member of the graduate Creative Arts Therapy faculty at Pratt Institute since 2016. She received her MPS in Creative Arts Therapy and Creativity Development from Pratt Institute, the country’s oldest clinical program in Art Therapy. She has also taught in the Art Therapy graduate departments of New York University, Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM, and has guest lectured at the New School and the ICahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
She holds a New York State License and Board Certification in psychotherapy (LCAT) and is a Licensed Professional Art Therapist and Clinical Supervisor in New Mexico (LPAT). Lauren is registered nationally with the Art Therapy Credentials Board as Board-Certified Creative Arts Therapist (ATR-BC) is an Art Therapy Credentialed Supervisor (ATCS) nationally, and has completed training and certification in Child Life practice (CCLS), with expertise in child development from infancy to young adulthood.
Lauren has published and presented widely within the fields of psychotherapy, art therapy, traumatology, grief, pediatrics, geriatrics and palliative medicine.
She is a Co-Founder of the Taos Abstract Artist Collective in New Mexico.
Publications
Smith, L. & Yazdian Rubin, S. (Dec. 2019). On becoming whole: Paul's journey through heart transplant. In Berberian, M. & Davis, B. (Eds), Art Therapy Practices for Resilient Youth: A Strengths-Based Approach to At-Promise Children and Adolescents. New York: Routledge.
Smith, L. & Yazdian Rubin, S. (2017). Can you help me say goodbye? Sibling loss and bereavement in the healthcare environment. In MacWilliam, B. (Ed), Complicated grief, attachment & art therapy: theory, treatment and 14 ready-to-use protocols. (249-262). London, UK: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Smith, L. & Yazdian Rubin, S. (2017). Vicarious Trauma: Supporting Bereavement and Self-Care Practice through Art Therapy for Healthcare Providers. In MacWilliam, B. (Ed), Complicated grief, attachment & art therapy: theory, treatment and 14 ready-to-use protocols. (232-248). London, UK: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Clinical Affiliations and Positions
Graduate Department of Creative Arts Therapy, 2016-Present
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Southwestern College
Graduate Department of Art Therapy and Counseling
Adjunct Faculty, 2020-2022.
Graduate Department of Creative Arts Therapy
Steinhardt School, New York University, 2024
Graduate Thesis Consultant
Senior Psychotherapist, Child Life Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
Mount Sinai Hospital 2015-2021
Kravis Childrens’ Hospital
Lillian and Benjamin Hertzberg Institute for Palliative Care
Education
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, 2014.
M.P.S. Creative Arts Therapy & Creativity Development.
Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, 2001.
B.A. English Literature; Studio Art, 2001
British American Drama Academy, London, England, UK.
The Shakespeare Programme, 1999.
Credentials
Licensed Creative Arts Psychotherapist, New York State LPAT # CAT0212851
Licensed Professional Art Therapist, New Mexico LPAT # CAT0212851
Nationally Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist, ATBC, 15-240
Art Therapy Credentialed Supervisor, ATBC, 15-240
Testimonials
“Lauren is a fantastic and extremely knowledgeable clinician. I have been fortunate to benefit from her mentorship and can attest to her devotion to the clients and families she serves. I highly recommend Lauren as a compassionate and expert therapist!” - Bridget Kuzma, MPS, LCAT, LCPAT, ATR-BC
“I truly appreciate Lauren's wisdom, experience, creative energy, and compassion. As a trusted colleague she is someone I always keep in mind for referrals.”
- Shannon Bradley, ATR-BC, LCAT
“Lauren is an extremely skilled and compassionate practitioner. She is an inspirational model in her ability to balance multiple skills as an artist, art psychotherapist, educator, and supervisor. I consider her one of my greatest mentors!” - Chelsea Call, MA, LPCC, ATR-BC
”Lauren Smith is one of the brightest clinicians I've had the honor of learning from. Her insight and ability to hold space with clarity and care have left a lasting impression on how I engage in this work.” - Lena Gruber, MPS, LCAT, ATR-BC
“Lauren’s interventions were also very highly sought after by our teams…As both a child life therapist and art therapist, Lauren was in much demand as we sought to include the impacted children and families in our care plans, as they are often overlooked in a busy hospital environment where emphasis is placed on medical care.” - James Palmer, MSW, Former Social Worker, Lillian and Benjamin Hertzberg Institute for Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Hospital.