Justin Smith

MA, NCC, LPCC-S, RPT-S, ACS

Justin Smith is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor – Supervisor (LPCC-S) and Director of Staff Development.

Justin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services and Counseling from Lindsey Wilson College in 2005. He continued his education by receiving a Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling in 2013 from the University of the Cumberlands. 

Justin began working at Phoenix Preferred Care in 2014 as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, earning full licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in 2015 and also became a National Certified Counselor that same year. Later, Justin earned the Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ credential in 2019. Most recently, Justin became a Certified AutPlay Therapy provider in 2021and in 2023 became an Approved Clinical Supervisor via the National Board for Certified Counselors. In addition to duties as a clinician, Justin serves as a Team Leader, clinical & play therapy supervisor, and internship supervisor for PPC’s Louisville office. He also manages PPC’s Continuing Education programs and has developed and led numerous trainings on an array of topics for mental health professionals and the community at large. 

Justin is most interested in using Child Centered Play Therapy with children who have experienced trauma or exhibit challenging behaviors due to anxiety/life stressors, those with special needs including Autism Spectrum Disorder, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. He primarily sees clients in the Louisville metro area.

Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time with his friends and family, traveling, theater, Peloton rides, and reading. He is a member of the Association for Play Therapy, Kentucky Association for Play Therapy, Kentucky Counseling Association, Kentucky Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Kentucky Association for LGBT Issues in Counseling, American Psychological Association, Middle Cumberland Counseling Association, and the Louisville Suburban Rotary Club. He has previously held memberships in the Somerset-Pulaski Morning Rotary Club, Lake Cumberland Housing Authority Family Self-Sufficiency Committee, and the Pulaski County Suicide Prevention Alliance. He and his partner, Roy Lee, live in the historic Highlands area of Louisville along with their cat, Scherbatsky.

LICENSURE/ CERTIFICATIONS/ TRAINING

•  Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor-KY (LPCC-S)
•  National Certified Counselor (NCC)
•  Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S™)
•  Certified AutPlay Therapy Provider
•  Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Trained (TF-CBT)
•  safeTALK Suicide Alertness trained
•  QPR-Question Persuade and Refer Suicide Prevention Training
• Aggression Replacement Training trained
• Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)