Therapist Cathy Smith Photo

Cathy Smith, LPC

Stress, Anxiety Relationships Family conflicts Trauma, Abuse Depression
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

Having graduated with undergrad degrees in Sociology (Criminology) and Spanish, I began working in a residential treatment home for youth with emotional and mental illnesses. My early work there, sparked my interest in psychology and counseling. After starting our family, I returned to school to earn a teaching certificate and a Masters degree in Special Education. After many years of teaching in a variety of settings; institutional, public, private and alternative education, I felt I really wanted more time to listen to and talk with my students. Because of this, I returned to the university once more to complete a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology, earning licensure as a Limited License Psychologist and a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Relationship is the key to effective counseling just as it is to effective teaching. Being open to learning about the life of your client; their ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual preference, work, and belief systems is important as a therapist. Knowing your own limitations is also necessary. Life is very difficult at times, especially in these times! Helping clients to live their best lives is very important work.

I use a variety of methods in working with clients. My clients’ ages have ranged from four years to seventy nine years. I work with people with depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, trauma, sexual and physical abuse, parenting problems, and even learning disabilities and people on the autism spectrum. Motivational interviewing, client centered work, solution focused, psychoeducational work, mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are tools that I use, based on what the client wants to achieve and their individual needs. Permeating all that I do is a strength based approach to looking at the person, always building on and utilizing their own strengths to partner with them to become healthy and happier.

Professional experience

18yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Relationships Family conflicts Trauma, Abuse Depression

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Domestic Violence, Emptiness, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Smoking/Vaping Cessation, Women's issues, Young Adult Issues

Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

Languages

EnglishSpanish

License information

MI LPC 6401010540

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Cathy Smith. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

Cathy is an absolute delight! Taking the leap to start therapy was difficult for me and I was incredibly nervous with all that was going on in my life, but Cathy has been so supportive, understanding, and empathetic that I wish I would have started sooner. She makes me feel comfortable and welcome with no judgement during every session. Cathy brings with her not only a unique outlook, but curiosity, kindness, and wisdom. Even working with her for just a few weeks, I feel confident in her experience and ability to help me reach my goals.

Written on Jan 24, 2024 after therapy with Cathy for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd

Cathy’s way to listen create a strong sense of understanding and safety. Her questions are very insightful that brings me to see a higher perspectives to my challenges.

Written on Dec 02, 2023 after therapy with Cathy for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd

Cathy was my first therapist and helped me heal through one of the toughest times in my life. She helped teach me good coping skills and how to handle my emotions better. She helped me learn how to feel my emotions rather than pushing them down, and how to cope with hard life changes. I’m so grateful for all of her help over our time spent together!

Written on Sep 25, 2023 after therapy with Cathy for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd

So easy to talk to. Very flexible and accommodating Genuinely cares and wants to see you succeed

Written on Sep 13, 2023 after therapy with Cathy for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem

Cathy is the best!

Written on Jun 28, 2023 after therapy with Cathy for 9 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and parenting issues

Great!

Written on May 25, 2023 after therapy with Cathy for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse