Dr. Leann Smith - Mental Health Educator & Researcher

Leann V. Smith, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, researcher, and the founder of The Mending Place, a culturally affirming therapeutic and wellness brand. She has expertise in culture, trauma, stress, and coping. Her research is well-cited and focuses on race, racism, and the ways in which success can be bolstered for marginalized populations. As a licensed psychologist, Dr. Smith has helped a variety of clients cope with a range of mental health concerns. Dr. Smith is an assistant professor of educational psychology with specialized training in school psychology, child and family services, trauma-informed care, and cultural resilience. Dr. Smith serves on the editorial boards for two American Psychological Association (APA) journals and is the convention co-chair for the 2022 APA Convention. Her work has been published in the APA’s flagship journal, American Psychologist, as well as leading journals in subfields of psychology, such as Child Development and the Journal of Counseling Psychology. Dr. Smith considers herself to be a community-engaged scholar, who is intentional about bridging the research-to-practice gap.