Kristen Smith, LMHC

Kristen Smith is a licensed mental health counselor with a long career in Florida. She brings 27 years of experience helping people navigate addiction, relationship problems, trauma, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. Kristen emphasizes practical steps and steady support as people try to make changes.

She believes the client is the expert in their own story and looks for strengths to build on. Sessions focus on clear goals and usable skills, not on jargon. Kristen encourages small, manageable steps that add up over time.

Her work covers a broad range of concerns, including grief, parenting strain, caregiver stress, ADHD, and issues around intimacy and self-esteem. Aging and geriatric issues are also part of her focus areas, alongside adoption and attachment-related concerns. She brings long-term clinical perspective to these topics.

Kristen uses client-centered methods along with cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy tools. That combination aims to help people change unhelpful thoughts, regulate emotions, and strengthen meaningful relationships. The tone in sessions is practical and collaborative.

Clients can expect a therapist who listens, helps set achievable goals, and offers skills to manage stress and mood. Kristen frames therapy as a partnership where real-life problems are addressed with clear strategies and ongoing encouragement.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Kristen uses client-centered therapy to keep the conversation focused on the person's priorities. That means sessions start with what matters most to the client and build on personal strengths to reach goals.

She also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, and patterns that keep problems repeating.

Dialectical behavior therapy techniques are used to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills. These tools can help when emotions feel intense or relationships are strained.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Kristen will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. Together they set concrete steps and review progress over time.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the available session formats before booking. Kristen and other licensed professionals often shape how therapy fits into daily life - for example, making sessions easier to schedule around work, shortening check-ins when time is limited, or focusing on practical homework between meetings. Talk with the therapist about what will work best for your routine and needs.