About Dr. Andrew Smith, Ph.D

I have a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and I have been a practicing therapist since 1997. I have specialized training and experience in working with health conditions, substance use disorders, trauma, anxiety and depression, sleep disorders, marital issues, parent-child concerns, and issues related to spirituality.

I have worked in a variety of settings that have helped to inform my current areas of expertise. I have trained and worked in healthcare settings, including my most recent experience as a UC Davis adjunct clinical professor of behavioral medicine. Within these settings I have developed and facilitated integrated behavioral health programs in chronic pain and substance use disorders. I currently serve as Behavioral Medicine and Neuropsychology chair of the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association, and I am on the Board of Directors of the Medical Education Research Foundation.

In addition, I have worked in residential settings with children and adolescents, a college counseling center, and several substance use disorder programs. I have conducted research, published articles, and presented at conferences nationwide. Please see the Blog tab for links to some of my published and unpublished articles and trainings.

My approach to treatment is balanced and centered around your needs. I view problems and solutions from a bio-psycho-social approach, which integrates one’s physical and mental health with enhancing one’s connection to their community of loved ones and friends as well as the larger communities in their life. I work to help you identify your goals and current obstacles, and I help you to find solutions that work within the scope of your life. I bring a mindfulness-based, Buddhist-oriented approach to understanding mental suffering and the path to ending suffering. I may also involve traditional therapy approaches, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.