Gail Gaffney-Smith, RN, BSN-BC, CGP

Psychiatric Nurse and group facilitator.

MY FOCUS

My experiences over the last forty-five years of nursing have included inpatient, as staff nurse, head nurse and group leader and intake coordinator, medication management, and group facilitator in an out-patient psychiatric setting. I have also worked in medical, surgical, pediatrics and nursing home environments as a staff nurse and team leader.  I have gained a perspective that our lives, and that of society, are always changing.

My primary focus for the last thirty years has been working with adults regarding the complexities of marriage, parenting, families navigating a life-threatening illness and families who are navigating the complications of addiction, of which my own life has been touched personally and professionally.

I appreciate working with groups and individuals seeking to know the truth of where they are at, physically, emotionally, spiritually, how they chose, or not chose to be in their present situation while exploring where they want to be with the numerous resources available. Shame keeps many of us isolated and naming those hard parts of us or our situation brings forth options. And options provide hope.

my values

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

  • Licensed Practical Nursing:  Chicago Board of Education, Chicago, Illinois, 1975

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing:  Hawaii Loa College, Kaneohe, Hawaii, 1991

  • Board Certified in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing:  American Nurses Credentialing Center, 1995

  • Certified Group Psychotherapist:  The Washington School of Psychiatry, 2021

 

My Approach

The services I offer are an adjunct to therapy. I offer individual or family sessions to those looking for someone to mentor or coach you in addition to your therapy. I also help those who are not sure therapy is what you want at the present time. I collaborate with the therapists at Gilmour Group Counseling by co-facilitating groups and offering additional support outside of therapy room. From my personal and professional experience, I work well with parents of adult children with addictions and persons living with a life-threatening illness.

I know sometimes we don’t feel ready for therapy. Or we just want someone who totally knows what it’s like. Someone who can say, “Me too! I’ve been there too!”. Someone who knows the grief of sitting with other parents whose adult children have taken a less traditional path. Or someone who knows what it’s like to receive a life altering diagnosis, having to process your shock and grief AND having to help your children, spouse and others process it.

MY SPECIALTIES

 SOME QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE