Maureen Smart, LCSW-R
Individual and Family Therapist
Thank you for visiting my website. A little about me…
I am a proud graduate of Stony Brook University and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I maintain a private practice in Commack, New York. I hold the LCSW-R and ACSW credentials, indicating I work to the highest professional standards of the National Association of Social Workers. Working within a Systems Theory framework allows me to help you effect positive change in your life.
Let’s find a way for you to live a happier, more peaceful life by improving your communication style, developing healthy coping mechanisms, and increasing your self-awareness, not only of yourself but also of your place in the world.
Change can begin simply: Let's sit and talk.
My practice offers particular interventions for families dealing with a pediatric oncology diagnosis or other serious medical issues, as well as supporting young adults with developmental disabilities within an individual or family therapy framework.
In addition to maintaining my private practice, I am active in our community. I have offered clinical consultation to "Osteosarcoma: From Our Families to Yours" and co-created a national peer support training program for children diagnosed with pediatric cancer and their parents, caregivers, and siblings. “Osteosarcoma: From Our Families to Yours” is part of the permanent collection within the Suffolk County Public Library. I currently sit on Contractor's For Kids Gifting Committee; Advisory Board.
I have completed the coursework required to hold the NYSED Work Based Learning Credential, maintained a seat on the Advisory Board of Directors of Hope for Youth, and am First Aid/CPR trained through the American Red Cross. I have led parenting workshops at Public Libraries throughout Suffolk County and hosted Transition Workshops for school districts in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. I have offered Parent Education services to moms and dads throughout Long Island as an IEP service. I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers, and the School Social Work Association of America.
Therapy
Individual • Couple/Marriage Counseling • Family
Talk therapy is a relationship. It is important to feel that ‘click’ of comfort and understanding when establishing a clinical relationship with a therapist. To foster that ideal, I work within a family perspective. I schedule first appointments with parents so they have an opportunity to candidly discuss what is on their minds. Scheduling with parents first helps establish the natural parent-child hierarchy, it also gives parents a chance to commit to working with me before they introduce their child to a stranger.
Appointments are typically weekly but are scheduled in response to particular needs.
Supportive Therapeutic Focus Areas:
these services are also available through consultation
Person Centered Planning
Person Centered Planning is a fun, non-assessment experience. Using up to a dozen life maps we explore areas of interest, places you spend time in and people who are important to you. By identifying person centered 'themes' we can develop goals to help you improve your focus to achieve happier life.
Cooperative School Advocacy
Parents are supported through cooperative school advocacy to ensure their child’s identified needs are addressed in education plans that are appropriate, creative, and dynamic to ensure success in achieving identified goals. New York State Education laws provide services for students based on identified need(s). Let's sit and talk together to establish a clear understanding of your child's needs as well as your hope and dreams for him/her.
Students, even middle school students, are supported to gain understanding of their diagnosis. When a diagnosis has been illusive causing frustration and worry, I work collaterally with neuro-psychologists and psychiatrists to obtain one. A diagnosis does not change our kids – it gives us information to teach them to live life more successfully.
Transition Coordination
My therapeutic work with kids on the Autism Spectrum has evolved to include advocacy in matters related to transition to the adult world including supporting the often confusing process to apply for eligibility through OPWDD. It is time to apply for OPWDD eligibility as soon as your child has a qualifying diagnosis. This is a time consuming process and it is not to soon to start now.
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Insurance Information
This office accepts insurance as allowed by your insurance company. Bills for dates of service are submitted bi-monthly by a medical billing expert. Fees for private pay individuals/families will be reimbursed directly to you from your insurance company. Fees for in-network plans or, with special consideration, out-of-network plans will be paid directly to the provider. All charges that are not covered by your insurance company are the responsibility of the insured.
Every effort is made to work cooperatively with your insurance company.
I am a provider for the following insurance companies: Aetna, Beacon Health, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Emblem Health Care, Empire Blue Cross, Oxford, United Behavioral Health, United Health Care and Value Options.
When your insurance coverage is active, you may only be responsible for your copay or coinsurance AFTER you have met your deductible. This office does not accept payment through credit cards. Payment is appreciated at the time of your appointment.
Things to consider
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You are responsible for your deductible and understanding your plan’s limits on the number of sessions allotted in a given time period. I make every effort to work with you to assist your understanding of your plan. Often my access to information is more limited than yours, the insured.
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I maintain a no show/cancellation policy. Please refer to your intake sheet for details.
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Additional fees may be incurred for appointments that exceed scheduled time. Extended appointments may be productively scheduled ahead of time or may occur spontaneously as time allows.
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Fees will be assessed to create reports including but not limited to: Psychosocial's or Person Centered Planning.
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Fees will be assessed to attend meetings at school including CSE, pre-CSE planning or advocacy meetings including time and travel.
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If you use your insurance please understand they can and will ask for clinical information to process your claim. This office has no control over where this information is disseminated once shared with your insurance company.
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If you do not have mental health coverage or your insurance deductible is so high it renders access to insurance coverage unmanageable, please talk to me about self-pay options. It is never the intent of this practice to deny therapy to anyone because of financial limitations.
Consent Form
If you’re working with another service provider (school staff, doctor, therapist, speech therapist, attorney, nurse practitioner, etc) and would like me to connect with them, please complete this consent form and bring it to your appointment.
As we work together we will discuss consent forms as needed. Collaboration can be a great way to support you!
Teletherapy Consent Form
The Coronavirus had a silver lining - it introduced many of us to remote meetings including talk therapy.
At this time all appointments are in person unless someone is in quarantine or, sometimes, away from home.
Please complete the teletherapy consent form so it is available should we need it and bring it to your first appointment.
My office address:
368 Veterans Memorial Highway
Suite 1A
Commack, NY 11725
Hours by appointment
(631) 742 - 0287
See you soon!
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
Office of Maureen Smart, LCSW-R
368 Veterans Memorial Highway
Suite 1A
Commack, NY 11725
631.543.5734
Ms. Maureen has helped me so much in the past year, so its hard very to choose just one thing she’s helped me with. But I would say she changed my attitude to many things, including life. She's also taught me to be calm when I'm stressed. Like 5 finger breathing, taking a step back and breathe, or talk to an adult you trust. These things she's taught me have made me more confident in my own skin and changed the way I look at things in the long run.
Taryn
Living with
Social Distancing
Therapy and You!
Your physical and emotional health are very important to me. Based on public health recommendations of social distancing, my practice will be moving to a combination of in person sessions supported by telehealth (video meetings through the computer) to ensure you continue to have access to care, and that you don’t have to be concerned about possible exposure in waiting rooms, offices, etc. This is a rapidly changing situation and I am available to talk through the logistics with you. I will let you know should I become directly exposed to Covid-19 and ask that you do the same. As with all places we go, should you have any signs of illness please contact me to discuss how to move forward.
Click to read more about how I can help you.