Karin Smithson

Blogger, Change Agent, Connector, Consultant, Doctor, Educator/Teacher, Explorer, Life mentor, Parent, Writer/Editor

Dr. Karin L. Smithson is a sought after psychotherapist, writer and motivational speaker with a specialty in relationship issues, developmental transitions, and life purpose. Karin is currently co-authoring a book, The Fatherless Daughter Project, for Penguin/Random House books, to be released in early 2016. She is also co-producing the documentary in the same name and co-founding a non-profit for fatherless daughters of all ages. She is a guest contributor for the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, writes her “Ask Dr. Karin” column for Southern Seasons Magazine, has her own inspirational blog at DoctorKarin.com and contributes popular articles to The Huffington Post. Dr. Karin has worked in inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and private counseling settings including DeKalb Medical Center, The Anxiety and Stress Management Institute, Visions Anew and Georgia State University. More recently, she has focused her energy on inspirational speaking at a broad range of venues as well as professional psychological consulting. She has earned acclaim as an educator and facilitator at corporate, charitable and community events. With a background of previous work in public relations, television, event planning, professional management, and teaching at the elementary, middle school and university levels, she brings a diverse bag of experience and insight into the room. Dr. Karin has inspired thousands to lead more fulfilling, purposeful lives because of her focus on helping people get ‘unstuck’ by forming healthier, more mindful practices. She combines her ground-breaking research on wellness and relationships with personal insight and clinical knowledge to bring inspiration and hope to others. Because of her own survival of public and private losses, Karin has found a calling in helping others find their own resilience, purpose and spiritual peace. A sought after guest in the media, Dr. Karin has been featured on HUFFPOST LIVE, NBC/WXIA-TV, CBS/ Ch46 Atl, WSB/ABC-TV, TBS, WSB AM 750 Radio, B98.5 FM Radio, WLAQ 1410 AM Radio, AllNews 106.7, 1290 KOIL Radio, Southern Season’s Magazine, Jezebel Magazine, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA Today, The Atlantan, Joyful Woman Magazine, SelfImprovement.com, Bloggers.com and The Huffington Post, in addition to extensive media over the years. She has authored numerous national presentations for counseling organizations as well as been featured in cover stories in several publications. Dr. Karin received her Early Childhood Education B.A. degree from Wesleyan College, her Master’s degree in Counseling from Argosy University, with honors, and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Practice from Georgia State University (GSU), with high honors. She claims that her biggest accomplishment was completing her doctorate with of a house filled with 3 spunky children, all under the age of 3 – the youngest of whom was medically fragile. Earning her Ph.D., despite the obstacles, meant that she could finally do what she loved: write. As a committed humanitarian, Dr. Karin has been presented numerous community awards including the One of 100 Who Make Children Feel Like A Million Award by Atlanta’s Child Kind Organization, Atlanta’s Leading Ladies Award and The Real Out of Housewives of Atlanta cover story honoring her twenty-five years as an active community volunteer in Atlanta. Karin is also honored to speak on behalf of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, sharing her son’s story of miracles. Karin has also been deeply committed to the mission of the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities for 15 years, where she serves on the advisory board and has volunteered on every level. Her diverse background and talents support many worthwhile causes as she contributes her abilities helping with public relations, event planning, fundraising, caretaking, writing and photography. Dr. Karin resides in the Buckhead area of Atlanta with her precocious 6 year old son-and-daughter twins, West and Elise, her miracle 4 year old son, Hoyte, and her zany puppy, Tucker. She finds her Happy Place cranking up oldies for family dance parties, putting together impromptu celebrations for close friends, or writing all afternoon inside her orange office. She takes her coffee with anything chocolate.

Counseling, Healing - Mind Body Soul, Inspirational speaking, Life Transitions, Relationships and Communication, Resilience, spirituality, Wellness Coach.Holistic Approach, Women's Issues, Writing -

I am good at sensing who you are while waiting for you to see it. I can feel the truth clearly and compassionately. I am a Pilates junkie, can dance like a party woman and am darn good at impressions.