Three-Time Department of Psychology Graduate Orlandria Smith, Psy.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor Alumni Profile

Why did you choose Point Park for all three of your degrees?

I started my college career at CCAC Allegheny Campus and was unsure of the career path I wanted to take. I was a nursing student working at UPMC Montefiore in the abdominal transplant unit, and I was interested in changing career fields. I spoke with my sociology professor, Mr. Samuels, who recommended I look into psychology or sociology. I was most familiar with psychology as I had taken a couple of courses at CCAC and thought it was an interesting field. I asked my professor if he had any recommendations for what university I should apply to, and he spoke very highly of Point Park and its Department of Psychology.

I was accepted into Point Park's program as a sophomore and fell in love with psychology. I knew from that moment I wanted to pursue my master’s and doctoral degrees at Point Park.

I admire many of Point Park's psychology professors, especially Bob McInerney, Britney Brinkman, Todd Avellar, Brent Robbins, Matthew Allen, Sarah Schulz, Autumn Redcross and Sera Mathews. These amazing educators offered me new insights professionally and personally, which helped me grow into the stellar, scholarly clinician I am today. They truly love the work they do and will guide you to achieve your goals. I can’t thank Dr. Brinkman enough for all that she has done for me, the positions she helped put me in and the doors she has helped open. She was and is a great mentor. 

What is the key benefit of the Psy.D. program? 

The key benefit of Point Park's Psy.D. program is the quality of education. Before stepping out into the real world and seeing clients as a practicum student, I was well-prepared. I felt confident in myself and my skills and knew I could do amazing work with any client.

I am comfortable working with any population, even if it’s one that I never worked with before. I am confident in my knowledge and training and wise enough to know when to consult with others and lean on them for additional support.

Describe some of the experiential learning opportunities you had at Point Park.

I took a community-focused course with Dr. Brinkman, which was amazing! I worked with Gwen’s’ Girls, a nonprofit organization that empowers girls and young women through various programs, helping with their trauma-informed care.

As a member of the social justice psychology research team at Point Park, I helped conduct research with Dr. Brinkman, Dr. Shacoya Bates '21 '23, and Dr. Kathi Elliot, titled "Centering Black Girls in Sexual Harassment Research: A Community-Based Participatory Action Research Approach," which was published in Taylor & Francis Online's Women & Therapy Journal.

I also participated in the Hearing Voices Network (HVN), which raises awareness of the diversity of voices, visions and similar experiences while challenging negative stereotypes, stigma and discrimination and creating spaces for people of all ages and backgrounds. I became a trained facilitator through the organization.

Why are you passionate about psychology, and what keeps you engaged in this work?

The drive to make meaning of my existence and understand how my experiences shaped my worldview led me to pursue a career in psychology. During my undergraduate studies, I learned about humanistic psychology, which aligned with my ideas and values of the human being that I aspire to be, to lead a fulfilling life while contributing to the greater good for all people.

Humanistic psychology emphasizes the importance of human value and that all beings possess intrinsic dignity. It highlights looking at the wholeness of the individual. Humanistic psychology provided me with the language I had been looking for – language that speaks of self-efficacy, altruism and reverencing others. After further researching the humanistic approach, I knew I wanted to help cultivate such values and beliefs in others.

My desire to understand, connect with others and create meaningful experiences has greatly served me as a clinician and educator. I have learned that new understanding can emerge for my clients, students and myself by building meaningful relationships through this practice. 

 

You're writing a book, "Black Existential Psychology: Theorizing Thrownness, Identity, and Freedom," to be released by Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group. What inspired the book, and what do you hope to get across to readers?

My book aims to expand existential theory by offering a black cultural lens to the philosophy of existentialism. A heavy emphasis placed on deepening the understanding of the universal factors that exist in all humans interferes with existentialism’s ability to value the experiences of those whose existence and humanity are denied or called into question. The book will explore the issue of the existential universality of human existence and how such an approach neglects to recognize race as an existential concern.

As an individual who identifies as black and now has a black son, I found a need to challenge the context in which black people are studied and understood in psychology. Often the psychology of black people is studied within a deficit framework. There is a hyper-fixation on understanding black people in the context of ghettos/poverty, institutions and periods of enslavement. My research interests are grounded in understanding and centering the congruency of values, norms, beliefs, traditions, customs and history of black people’s existence.

I hope readers become curious about the philosophical claims made about what constitutes a human being and challenge implications and assumptions. I want readers to understand that race is an existential concern that impacts all of us, that black people's experiences are value-laden and black philosophers are philosophers; therefore, their work should be studied, not tolerated or reduced to an autobiography. The need to deconstruct white supremacist ideologies is pressing, and it is our collective responsibility to create space for new thoughts and voices. 

In addition to being a clinical psychologist, you're an assistant professor at the University. What does it mean to you to take your journey here full circle?

I never really saw myself being a professor, and now I can’t imagine it not being a part of my identity. I am honored to be in this position – to teach, create, encourage curiosity, help students strengthen their critical thinking skills, teach them how to analyze one’s assumptions and implications and possibly inspire, especially as a black woman. I believe it is important to be in spaces where there are fewer people who look like me so that I can help instill hope in others who may one day want to be in this position. 

What advice do you have for prospective students considering a career in psychology?

Build a great support system. You need clinical and non-clinical support groups because doing this work can be overwhelming and stressful at times. Create balance in your life, don’t work yourself to death, have fun and learn how to relax. Doing nothing is something! I am very ambitious and enjoy taking on many tasks that are work-related, but life is not all about just working. Becoming a mother has taught me the importance of finding and maintaining balance. 

Connect with Orlandria Smith

More About: faculty, psychology, alumni, success story, M.A. in community psychology, Department of Psychology, research, School of Arts and Sciences, Psy.D. in clinical psychology