CareSouth Carolina’s Chatonia Smalls Earns LISW-CP/S Certification

CareSouth Carolina is proud to recognize Chatonia Smalls, MSW, LISW-CP, on earning her Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice Supervision (LISW-CP/S) credential.

Smalls, who has served CareSouth Carolina for the past four years, provides counseling services at the Rosa Lee Gerald Center in Society Hill. Earning her LISW-CP/S represents both professional achievement and a continued dedication to helping individuals improve their mental health and overall well-being.

"Becoming an LISW-CP/S means that I have made a commitment to serve," Smalls said. "I have been chosen to continue doing my own self-work in order to assist and empower others."

Throughout her career, Smalls has focused on creating a safe, welcoming environment where patients feel comfortable sharing experiences they may have carried for years.

"What I enjoy most about counseling is being a listening ear," she said. "There are so many people holding on to hurt and trauma that they've never been able to say out loud. Nurturing a relationship and providing a soft space where people can speak those truths is incredibly important to me."

CareSouth Carolina's Integrated Behavioral Health program allows licensed counselors like Smalls to work alongside primary care providers, helping patients address both their physical and mental health needs through a coordinated, team-based approach.

Smalls believes that this model creates better outcomes because it treats every aspect of a patient's health rather than focusing on a single diagnosis.

"I often explain our integrated model as taking a whole-person approach," she said. "Managing physical health and mental health together is vital. Chronic pain and other medical conditions can have a significant impact on depression, anxiety, and many other mental health concerns. When we understand how those conditions work together, we can provide education and interventions that may improve someone's blood pressure while also reducing their mental health symptoms."

Outside the office, Smalls enjoys spending time gardening, where she appreciates watching her hard work grow and flourish. She also loves traveling and says spontaneous day trips are among her favorite ways to recharge.

CareSouth Carolina is a private, non-profit community health center delivering patient-centered health and life services in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. CareSouth Carolina operates centers in Bennettsville, Bishopville, Cheraw, Chesterfield, Dillon, Hartsville, Lake View, Latta, McColl and Society Hill.

Services provided by CareSouth Carolina include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, women's services, OB/GYN, HIV/AIDS primary care, infectious disease primary care, IV therapy, substance abuse prevention, dental, chiropractic services, pharmacy, senior support services, family support services, clinical counseling, laboratory, ultrasound, X-Ray, agricultural worker health services, podiatry, and veterans choice provider.