Dr. Maria Smith received a B.A. in Psychology, with highest honors, from the University of Virginia in 2001, and went on to receive a Ph.D. in Psychology from Virginia Tech in 2009.  While at Virginia Tech, Dr. Smith specialized in Clinical Child Psychology under the mentorship of Thomas Ollendick, Ph.D.  She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta, and returned to Virginia Tech Child Study Center, where she served as a postdoctoral research scientist and instructor  for three years.  Dr. Smith has ten years of clinical experience working with children, as well as adults and couples.  She also has published several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in the area of child anxiety, and has presented her work at a number of national and international conferences.

Dr. Smith has special interests and training in the following areas:

• Child, adolescent, and family issues

• Assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders

• Assessment and treatment of child behavioral problems

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Cognitive Bias Modification

• Psychoeducational assessment

• Post-traumatic stress, grief and loss

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Professional Involvements/Memberships:

• American Psychological Association

  • Division 53: Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology

• Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapies

• Anxiety Disorders Association of America

• International Association of Trauma Professionals​

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