Michael Smith

Dr. Michael Smith has been practicing social work nearly 30 years in a variety of settings. He has served as an item writer, exam reviewer, and content reviewer for social work licensure examinations for the Association of Social Work Boards since 2003. He has also served as Chair of the Alabama State Board of Social Work. Michael’s education includes a Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, and Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama. Michael also earned the Doctor of Philosophy in Management from Walden University. He is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and holds a Private Independent Practitioner certificate (PIP) with endorsements in clinical social work, social work administration, social work research, social casework, and community organization.

Articles written by Dr. Smith

Dec 14th, 2023

Ho-Hum Holidays?

Is the holiday season leaving you a little run down? The holidays may bring good times, but the number of obligations may leave us feeling overwhelmed. The parties, the decorating, the gifts to buy, religious traditions, and family celebrations quick... Read More

Apr 28th, 2022

National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Two plus years of reduced activity and social isolation caused by COVID-19 has led many child welfare professionals to worry about an increase in child abuse. Concerns center on higher stress levels for families due to loss of employment, virtual lea... Read More

Mar 3rd, 2022

Making the Most of Professional Supervision

Just thinking about supervision requirements for social workers and counselors can create anxiety for both the supervisee and the supervisor. The stakes are high considering the need for developing professionals to hone their skills and understan... Read More

Dec 27th, 2021

Strategic Thinking for Practice Success

As 2022 comes into focus, it’s a good time to create a strategic plan for your practice. Strategic planning is not just an exercise for large corporate entities. Private practitioners in the human services can also benefit from a focused appr... Read More

Nov 23rd, 2021

Can the Family First Act Fix the Foster Care System?

In early 2018, a significant piece of legislation titled the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) was signed into law at the federal level. Implementing FFPSA has been slow but has created a tremendous debate in the child welfare comm... Read More