About Me

I have lived and worked in Santa Cruz for 21 years. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, one of the two ways to become a therapist (the other is to be a Marriage and Family Therapist).  I received a Masters Degree in Social Work 20 years ago at San Jose State University. Additional fields of study include Core Energetics, Re-Evaluation Co-Counseling, Transpersonal psychology, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Harm Reduction Counseling,  Motivational Interviewing, Addictions, Trauma and  Hakomi.  I completed the  Hakomi Professional Training 4 years ago and it is the primary approach used in my counseling work today. Other interests include acupressure, yoga, meditation and nutrition. I have worked as a teacher, a musician, a landscaper and a massage therapist.
 

Work Experience  I have been a social worker in Santa Cruz since 2000, working as case manager and therapist for over 20 years. I have worked with individual adults, children, teens and couples. I have worked in Hospice care providing grief counseling and support, public health, and family counseling. I have provided treatment in Addiction Recovery Programs for individuals and groups. I have taught a variety of subjects and led educational and therapy support groups. Subjects have included parenting, substance abuse and addiction, mindfulness, alternatives to violence, and creative writing. My personal studies have included non-violent communication, music, and creative writing. 

Credential

Sage Smiley, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 2010

Educational Background

Masters in Social Work, San Jose State University 2000

BA in Humanities, New College of CA

Training

As stated above, I have trained in and studied many styles of work including Hakomi, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Dialectical Behavioral Training, Core Energetics, Re-Evaluation Counseling,  Family Systems theory and Sandtray therapy. (Click on any of these titles, they are linked to web pages with descriptions and/or definitions). 

 Membership

Currently a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Sage Smiley, Santa Cruz Therapist, 340 Soquel Ave, Suite 203, Santa Cruz, CA 831.234.6043