Sharon E. Smith BS, MS, LPC

Sharon Smith, LPC has been working in social services and the mental health field in Portland, Oregon since 1996 and holds a Master's Degree in Counseling Education from Portland State University. She has been passionate about integrating behavioral health services in primary care since 2011 when she had the opportunity to participate in a Primary Care Behavioral Health Certificate Program while working at a small health clinic. Sharon has been a strong advocate and contributor in the further expansion of integrated services since joining Kaiser Permanente in 2014.
Sharon highlights the importance of extending behavioral health interventions to the whole primary care population, having seen the powerful impact a brief intervention can have when a Patient comes in for a PCP visit and leaves feeling hopeful and better equipped to manage or cope with their emotional or physical health needs.
She believes embedding Behavioral Health Consultants (BHCs) in primary care as a routine part of treatment reduces stigma and supports a preventative care approach, while also offering immediate intervention and liaison services for Patients needing a higher level of care. Sharon also believes the inclusion of BHC’s as part of primary care teams enhances PCP treatment plans, contributes to increased PCP and Patient satisfaction, and improves Patient health outcomes.