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

  • Stepping out into the journey of life with the personal and professional opportunities I’ve experienced has stretched my life in ways never thought possible.  Understanding that learning never stops has brought me relief that I need not have it all figured out by life’s end.

  • As society changes, knowing God doesn’t and His Holy Spirit is at work helping to bring hope to chaos. We can’t do life alone. Knowing such truth encourages me to continue to grow with my relationship with God, and with those around me.

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

  • Having adult children turn to substance use or other behaviors to cope with countless stressors, as parents, one often tries to help minimize the destruction happening to the addict, or because of the addict.  The stories differ yet the pain is universal. One can find themselves going from blame to shaming ourselves, the addict or both. From controlling the situation to disowning the addict. Navigation for the addict and those who care about them, those who love them is a journey. A journey best not taken alone.

  • Hearing the diagnosis and all the factors that lead to that moment.   The world freezing, the shock, and knowing life will be altered in countless ways. Then the treatment options available, or not. The emotions, the thoughts, the words, the conversations, or not.  One’s family, job and the various facets there within.  One holds much in an instant and the future.   

 SOME QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE

  • $130 for individual sessions. Sessions are 60 minutes

    $60/session for group therapy. These groups 90 minutes and are co-facilitated with therapist at Gilmour Counseling Group.

    Payment by cash, check, credit card.

  • Unfortunately, I am not able to accept insurance.

  • Besides being a group therapist, I offer a unique perspective as a registered nurse, a mentor, and a fellow parent of family members on their own addiction journey. I have been in ACA, and other recovery support groups for the last 25 years.  I survived cancer and am a survivor of a couple life-threatening illnesses.  I know the challenges firsthand and can offer support and insights that are informed by all these perspectives.