Laura L. Smith

Laura L. Smith, Ph.D. (Corrales, New Mexico) is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of adults and children with obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and learning disorders. She is often asked to provide consultations to attorneys, school districts, and governmental agencies. She presents workshops on cognitive therapy and mental health issues to national and international audiences.

Articles & Books From Laura L. Smith

Narcissism For Dummies
Recognize narcissists in your life and set healthy boundaries to start healing today Narcissism For Dummies pulls back the curtain on a growing and misunderstood personality. This book digs into dimensions of narcissism, grandiosity, malignancy, and vulnerability, giving you the knowledge and perspective you need to identify narcissists in your life and set limits on unacceptable behavior.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 07-03-2023
Everyone feels special from time to time. Maybe you finally get that promotion you’ve had your eye on at work, or your closest friends surprise you with a birthday bash. But narcissists feel uniquely special all the time and expect to be treated accordingly. This unfounded belief in their own superiority often creates distressing conflict in personal and/or professional relationships.
Anxiety & Depression Workbook For Dummies
Tackle anxiety and depression head-on with this practical workbookIf you're one of the millions of people affected by—or whose loved ones are affected by—anxiety and depression, you're probably looking for strategies to help subdue or even transcend these debilitating and painful disorders. In that case, Anxiety and Depression Workbook For Dummies is a great place to start.
Anger Management For Dummies
Learn to mitigate your anger and take charge of your life Everyone experiences anger from time to time, but when left unchecked or unbridled, this normal human emotion can become disruptive and damage relationships. If you’re ready to stop letting anger control your life, turn to Anger Management For Dummies. This trusted source gives you tools to identify the source of your anger—whether it’s fear, depression, anxiety, or stress—and offers ways to deal with the “flight or fight” instinct that anger produces, allowing you to release yourself and your life from its grip.
Depression For Dummies
The good news on beating the blues Do you want the good, the bad, or the best news first? OK, the bad news is that an estimated 264+ million people worldwide suffer from a depressive illness. The good news is that we know how to defeat these illnesses better than ever before using a growing range of highly effective psychotherapies, medications, and other therapeutic methods that are improving all the time.
Article / Updated 03-29-2021
This article reviews some of the biological roots of anxiety, as well as the consequences of chronic stress on health. Most people with anxiety describe uncomfortable physical symptoms that go along with their worries. They may experience heart palpitations, nausea, dizziness, sweats, or muscle tension. Those symptoms are evidence that anxiety is truly a disorder of both the mind and the body.
Article / Updated 03-29-2021
As common as anxiety disorders are, believing that you’re suffering from anxiety when you’re not is all too easy. Prescription drugs may have a variety of side effects, some of which mimic a few of the symptoms of anxiety. Sometimes what you eat or drink can make you feel anxious. Various medical conditions also produce symptoms that imitate the signs of anxiety.
Article / Updated 03-29-2021
Some people find that self-help is all they need. They read about good ways of dealing with their anxiety, and then they apply what they’ve discovered. Voilà! Their anxiety gradually fades to a manageable level.However, no self-help book is intended to completely replace professional help. And anxiety sometimes requires the assistance of a professional, just like complicated tax matters may call for a certified public accountant or deciding to draw up a will may send you to an attorney.
Article / Updated 03-29-2021
If you have a child with anxiety, don’t make yourself anxious by blaming yourself for the problem. Anxiety in children is common, and multiple factors probably went into making your kid anxious. So now what do you do? Read on. © fizkes / Shutterstock.com Help yourself first If you’ve traveled on a commercial flight, you’ve probably heard flight attendants instruct you about how to deal with the oxygen masks should they drop down.
Article / Updated 03-29-2021
If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably made some headway with your anxiety. Maybe, after all your hard work, you’ve experienced a setback, or perhaps you’re worried about one. Not to worry. We have ten ideas for you to use when anxiety shows up again in your life. © New Africa / Shutterstock.comDon't be afraid to join a support group or anxiety chat room.