Dr. Shaneze Gayle Smith, Ph.D

Founder & Clinical Director

So, let me tell you a little about me.

I'm a licensed clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience working with teens, young adults, and parents. My work focuses on trauma, anxiety, chronic health issues, and parenting challenges. Before starting my private practice, I was the Director of Child & Adolescent programming at a CBT-based clinic and have supervised doctoral trainees. 

I’m also an adjunct professor and doctoral trainee supervisor.

Personally, I am a mother. I identify as a Black/Latina (mixed race) cis-woman, wife, sister (to four brothers!), autoimmune warrior, recovering perfectionist and reformed people pleaser. My own experiences with childhood trauma, motherhood, and work-life balance shape the way I approach therapy. I’ve been through my own hard times, and I believe in turning that pain into purpose. 

I bring humor, authenticity, and compassion into my sessions, making space for growth, even when things are tough. I may be a bit sarcastic, lighthearted, and straightforward, but I believe in holding space for your full story. And, if you're a huge fantasy reader- I’m your person!

SPECIALIZED TRAININGS

  • Experience working in about a dozen integrative hospital settings (pediatric & adult) with illnesses including diabetes, cancer, chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal issues such as IBD (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis) and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), hypertension, sickle cell, PCOS, and migraines. Dr. Gayle Smith has direct medical experience having attended medical school for 3 years prior to her psychology training which provides her with unique perspective on the interplay between the mind and body.

  • Childhood Trauma (including neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse), adult survivors of childhood trauma, sexual assault, medical trauma & childbirth trauma.  

    Expertise in the following trauma therapies: TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused CBT); CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) & CPC-CBT (Combined Parent-Child CBT for Physical Abuse)

  • Experience working with parents individually, parent couples (specifically those navigating cultural or racial differences), co-parents (for divorced/blended families), parent groups and parent-child dyads. Additionally, Dr. Gayle Smith has clinical experience working with mothers navigating issues pertaining to perinatal concerns, motherhood, work-life balance & postpartum diagnoses such as postpartum depression, anxiety and PTSD.

  • Positive Parenting; Parent Management Training (PMT) and Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) for ADHD, disruptive behaviors and oppositionality. 

    Adolescent DBT for teens & young adults with suicidality, self-harming & emotion regulation issues. 

    Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD, anxiety/phobias and school refusal.

  • Dr. Smith has extensive experience supporting the transition from being a teen to becoming an adult. She aids in navigating academic pressure, identity development, anxiety, burnout, relationship challenges, and the emotional impact of being away from home, while helping them build coping skills, confidence, and a stronger sense of self. Her approach provides a supportive space to manage stress, improve emotional well-being, and create a more balanced, fulfilling college experience.

  • Dr. Gayle Smith has received specialized training in EFT (emotion focused therapy) with a particular emphasis on providing inclusive and affirming care (ex: LGBTQ/queer and interracial couples). She also received training via the Supporting Healthy Relationships program at Montefiore Medical Center which is a family strengthening program designed to empower parenting couples to achieve family success by helping them improve communication and reduce destructive conflict. Dr. Gayle Smith has aided couples who work in high stress professions navigate work-life balance/competing career priorities in a marriage, parenting conflict (differences in parenting styles), communication issues, cultural differences (due to difference in race, ethnicity, and SES) and improving intimacy.

Meet With Dr. Shaneze Gayle Smith

Education & Certifications

  • PhD in Clinical Psychology, Seton Hall University (Health Psychology & Child/Adolescent Focus)

  • Psychology Residency, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center

  • MS in Forensic Psychology, Walden University

  • Medical School (3 years), Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School

  • BA in Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University

Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, Psychodynamic Therapy (Relational & Attachment-Based)

Licensure

I provide in person therapy in New York City and am licensed to provide virtual therapy in:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Interested in Working Together?

I accept insurance through out-of-network benefits. My fees range from $375-$425. Additionally, I have a few sliding scale spots for those with financial difficulties.

Let’s check to see if your insurance provides out-of-network benefits.

Let’s Set Up A Call