Hawthorne Smith, PhD

Hawthorne Smith, Ph.D., Program Director, Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture

Dr. Smith is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director of the Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture. He is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at the NYU School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry.  Dr. Smith received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology (with distinction) from Teachers College; Columbia University. Dr. Smith had previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, an advanced certificate in African Studies from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal, as well as a Masters in International Affairs from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs.

Among his clinical duties, Dr. Smith has facilitated a support group for French-speaking African survivors of torture for the past 15 years. He also speaks extensively at professional conferences and seminars on providing clinical services for survivors of socio-political violence, and enhancing cross-cultural clinical skills among therapeutic service providers. Dr. Smith has been recognized for his work with such awards as: the Robin Hood Foundation’s “Hero Award”; the “Frantz Fanon Award” from the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health; the “W.E.B. DuBois Award” from the International Youth Leadership Institute; the “Distinguished Alumni – Early Career Award” from Teachers College; the “Man of Distinction Award” from the National Association of Health Service Executives; and the “Union Square Award for Community Advocacy” from the Fund for the City of New York.

Prior to coming to Bellevue, Dr. Smith coordinated care at a shelter for homeless families in San Francisco prior to, and in the aftermath of 1989 earthquake. He has also been a youth counselor to “court involved youth” in Washington, DC during the height of the crack epidemic.  Dr. Smith was also a co-founding member of Nah We Yone, Inc. (a non-profit organization working primarily with refugees from Sierra Leone, as well as other displaced Africans in New York), and helped to coordinate the International Youth Leadership Institute (IYLI), a leadership program for marginalized New York City teens.

Dr. Smith is also a professional musician (saxophonist and vocalist) with international experience.