We are proud to celebrate an incredible achievement by Lynetta Hale, our Senior Director of Clinical Services, who recently became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). This milestone reflects not only her dedication to personal and professional growth, but also her deep commitment to the field of behavioral health.
Lynetta brings over 35 years of experience in mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Her professional path has been a testament to lifelong learning—beginning as an Addictions Treatment Counselor, advancing as a Licensed Psychiatric Technician, and earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology (Summa Cum Laude) followed by her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with a concentration in Trauma Studies. Now, with her LMFT credential, Lynetta adds another layer of expertise to her leadership role.
Prior to obtaining her license, Lynetta served as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, completing 3,000 clinical hours, including 500 with children and/or families, under weekly supervision from Kelly Boardman, LMFT, Agency Clinical Supervisor, who provided invaluable guidance, case consultation, and support throughout the licensure process. Lynetta earned the majority of her hours at Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS), conducting therapy sessions at Stepping Stones, River Community, Mid Valley, and PCADD. She credits both Kelly’s mentorship and the supportive environment at SMRS for helping her reach this milestone and states she is grateful and proud to be part of an agency that invests in the continuing education and professional development of its team members.
With her new credential, Lynetta has expanded her role by enhancing SMRS’s ability to meet clinical and contractual requirements. As a licensed provider, she can now serve as Head of Service across programs—supporting compliance efforts while offering added flexibility within the senior leadership team. In addition, Lynetta will eventually be eligible to clinically supervise other Associate Marriage and Family Therapists and Associate Professional Clinical Counselors. With more staff pursuing advanced degrees and licensure, her ability to provide supervision will help ease the load on existing clinical supervisors and support the continued professional development of the SMRS teams.
Lynetta’s motivation to pursue her LMFT credential runs deep. Lynetta is a person in long-term recovery, with 36 years of continuous sobriety, with her journey starting at Stepping Stones in 1988. It was there that she discovered her passion for helping others but recognized the need for further education to fully realize her calling. A turning point came early in her recovery when she began working with a therapist to process layers of trauma and better understand the roots of her addiction.
Lynetta shares, “I loved the experience of working with a therapist, learning more about myself, and healing from multiple layers of complex trauma. I thought that one day I wanted to help others in the same way. So, it’s been a dream of mine since my second year in sobriety,”
That dream has now come full circle. Not only has Lynetta returned to SMRS in a leadership capacity, but she’s also helping to shape its future. As Chair of this year’s Staff Retention & Recruitment Strategic Planning Committee, she is leading the development of a mentorship program that offers a supportive structure for those pursuing higher education and/or working as registered associates. The program aims to provide guidance, shadowing opportunities, and deeper insight into roles across the organization. For Lynetta, mentorship is not only personally meaningful—it is her mission to nurture the professional growth of others.
Her message is clear: “We need you…Keep going…and Don’t give up.”
