Elaine Smith,

With over 30 years of experience as a licensed marital and family therapist, Elaine Smith, a behavioral health specialist at City of Hope Atlanta, holds a master’s degree in marriage/family therapy from Purdue University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Throughout her career, Smith has worked in both private practices and hospital settings. Using a systems approach to therapy, she focuses on interpersonal relationships, whether that means a family, a couple or a patient’s interaction with a friend or caregiver.

Most recently, Smith managed a clinical private practice focusing on individual, marriage and family therapy, as well as crisis intervention and individual therapy. Prior to that, she was the director of a mental health counseling center at a community-based hospital in Indiana. In that position, Smith worked collaboratively with the medical staff to provide therapeutic support and wellness-interventions for cancer patients and caregivers.

In her role with City of Hope, Smith sees herself as a listener, as well as a generator of ideas, behaviors and attitudes that can help augment the medical process. She aims to provide City of Hope patients with positive energy and guide them to techniques that may help them feel physically, spiritually and emotionally better.

"I am really excited about the opportunity to help patients to relax and feel comfortable by using techniques such as guided imagery," says Smith. "It is our privilege on the behavioral health team to let patients know we’re here for them. We’re honored to assist in taking care of the spirit, while traditional medicine takes care of the body."

An avid exerciser, Smith has two children and five grandchildren. She enjoys reading, working with her church and volunteering in the community. She fell in love with Newnan after one visit, which she describes as an exciting, welcoming place.