About Dr. Smith
A career dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities navigate life's most important transitions.
Dr. T. Scott Smith is a licensed rehabilitation counselor and certified Life Care Planner based in Lafayette, Louisiana, with over 30 years of experience serving individuals with disabilities, their families, and attorneys across Louisiana and nationally.
Why work with Dr. Smith
I believe that good planning starts with understanding the whole person—their strengths, challenges, goals, and circumstances.
My work spans multiple areas: Vocational Rehabilitation, transition planning for adolescents and young adults, and Life Care Planning. I serve families seeking guidance, schools and agencies needing consultation, and attorneys requiring expert analysis in disability-related legal matters.
While I specialize in autism and blindness, my practice serves individuals with a wide range of disabilities—sensory, developmental, and physical. What unites my work is a commitment to evidence-based practice and practical, implementable recommendations.
Evidence-based
All recommendations are grounded in current research and best practices in rehabilitation counseling.
Practical
Plans account for real-world constraints, available resources, and system realities.
Collaborative
I work with families, professionals, and systems to ensure recommendations can be implemented.
30+ years of experience
Qualified in both Louisiana state and federal courts, with deep expertise in disability, vocational capacity, and Life Care Planning.
Nationally Credentialed Expertise
Multiple advanced degrees and nationally recognized certifications in rehabilitation counseling and Life Care Planning.
PhD
Educational Psychology
Texas A&M University
MA
Educational Psychology
East Texas A&M University
MA
Rehabilitation Counseling
University of Alabama
BS
Psychology
LSU Shreveport
CRC
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
CLCP
Certified Life Care Planner
International Commission on Health Care Certification
LRC
Louisiana Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor
Louisiana Board of Examiners in Counseling
Dr. Smith is the author of a published work on rehabilitation counseling, drawing on decades of clinical and forensic experience.
He served as chair of the Louisiana Rehabilitation Counselor Licensure Board for eight years under Governors Bobby Jindal and Jon Bel Edwards, contributing to the professional standards that guide the field.
My approach
Whether I'm developing a Life Care Plan for legal proceedings or helping a family prepare for their child's transition to adulthood, my goal is the same: provide clear, actionable guidance that makes a real difference.
Every recommendation I make is grounded in research and tailored to real-world implementation. I prepare thoroughly, document meticulously, and communicate clearly—because when families and professionals trust the plan, better outcomes follow.
“My work focuses on translating clinical understanding into clear, practical guidance that helps individuals and families make informed decisions about their futures.”
Areas of expertise
I serve two primary audiences, each with distinct needs and goals.
Support for families and caregivers
When someone you love has a disability, planning for their future can feel overwhelming. I help families cut through the complexity with clear explanations, practical recommendations, and a roadmap you can actually follow.
Services include transition planning, Life Care Planning, career counseling, and one-on-one family consultation—all tailored to your family's unique situation and goals.
Support for attorneys
When your case involves disability, vocational capacity, or Life Care needs, you need an expert who can provide clear, defensible analysis that holds up under scrutiny.
I provide Vocational Evaluations, Life Care Planning, medical cost analysis, causation analysis, and expert witness testimony for personal injury, medical malpractice, workers' compensation, and disability litigation.
Ready to get clarity on your case?
Start with a free consultation to discuss your needs. No obligation, just clear guidance on how I can help.