Michael Smith, LMHC

Michael Smith is a licensed mental health counselor with 38 years of experience. He helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, stress, grief, or difficult life changes. He also supports people facing substance issues, relationship strain, mood instability, attention challenges, and aging or geriatric concerns.

He keeps sessions straightforward and focused. Conversations are used to identify what feels most urgent, then small concrete steps are tried and adjusted. He emphasizes practical coping skills, clearer thinking, and finding day-to-day routines that reduce distress.

Michael draws on several well-known approaches. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions to change unhelpful patterns. Client-Centered Therapy centers the conversation on each person's experience and goals. Mindfulness practices are used to build attention and calm when worry or strong emotion gets in the way.

Over nearly four decades in New York, he has worked with people facing mood disorders, trauma and abuse, neurodevelopmental differences, addictions, and life transitions. He brings that breadth of experience into planning sessions that match each person's needs.

Sessions focus on clear goals and small steps that fit daily life. People who choose him typically want a straightforward, problem-solving approach with room to talk about meaning and values as they arise.

Approaches that translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy places the person's experience at the center of every session. The therapist listens closely and follows the client's lead to set goals and pace the work, which can be helpful when discussing aging concerns or life transitions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing small behavioral changes to reduce symptoms. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and sleep or eating difficulties and lends itself to clear homework and skill practice between sessions.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve focus. These exercises can be brief and easy to use between appointments to manage stress or strong emotion.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will work together with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, values, and day-to-day life. That collaborative process may mix approaches and adjust as progress is made.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Many people choose online sessions to fit therapy into busy schedules, reduce travel time, or make shorter check-ins possible during a lunch break. Ask about the available formats when you complete the matching questionnaire so sessions can be planned to fit your routine.