Jason A.D. Smith, Ph.D.

Meet Dr. Smith

Rehabilitation Psychologist in Dallas

As a rehabilitation psychologist, Jason A.D. Smith, Ph.D., helps people with disabilities and neurological illnesses. Also trained in neuropsychology, he assesses and treats patients who experience cognitive or behavioral problems.

“Rehabilitation psychology – which may involve cognitive rehabilitation – applies psychological principles and skills to people with disabilities and chronic health conditions,” he explains. “Our goal is to maximize patients’ health, wellness, functional independence, autonomy, and social roles.”

Dr. Smith cares for both inpatients and outpatients who are adapting to new or changing physical and cognitive abilities that result from injury or disease. He also conducts neuropsychological evaluations as part of his patient examinations and treatment planning. He often works directly with families and caregivers, whose role is critical in the rehabilitation of his patients.

“Patients are not the only ones learning, adapting, and adjusting,” he says. “It’s the loved ones and caregivers, too, especially in cases of more catastrophic injuries and illnesses,” he says.

Dr. Smith sees people with a wide range of conditions, from neurological injuries and diseases such as epilepsy to traumatic brain and spine injuries (including concussions) and cancer, as well as people who have undergone amputation and organ transplantation.

“Cognitive and emotional recovery are integral, and there is great variety in our patients’ abilities and in how each individual will recover,” he says.

“Living with a chronic medical condition, adjusting to a new-onset condition, or even adjusting to improved health after a medical intervention – successful surgery for epilepsy, for instance – affects all facets of life.”

He adds that this is why rehabilitation is about treating the whole person. “The process involves helping patients learn to adapt to the physical and social environments of their lives as well as how they relate to themselves, others, and the broader community.”

A faculty member of both the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Psychiatry and Psychology at UT Southwestern, Dr. Smith is fellowship trained and board certified in rehabilitation psychology.

Despite the wide range of conditions his patients suffer from, “humanity is the common thread, and my ultimate goal is to improve their sense of wellness,” he says.

“I’m happy to be able to affect change and give patients and families a sense of being understood, as well as treat and direct them to resources and therapies that improve their quality of life.”