Hi there! My name is Claudia Smithart, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas. I have a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which followed my graduation in Psychology and Sociology undergraduate, where I graduated Suma Cum Laude with Highest Honors. Psychology/Counseling is my passion, and I have worked in a Metacognition psychology lab, and interned early in my education working in a psychology and counseling clinic.
Since then, I have worked with children, teens, and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as populations 18+, across the lifespan, with a variety of presenting problems, such as LGBTQ+ related-issues, anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorder, trauma, self-esteem issues, and everything in between. I have a background in Applied Behavioral Analysis, crisis intervention, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
In addition to the information listed above, I work from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach, which basically means that I believe in challenging our cognitive distortions, or "stinkin' thinkin'" as an old supervisor of mine referred to it as. Our maladaptive thinking patterns can affect our behaviors, beliefs, and even our actions. Breaking these down and unpacking our assumptions and thoughts can be very therapeutic, and where we will spend most of our time in therapy, as well as building coping skills, and building a new way of thinking and viewing the world.
I also use a Person-Centered approach, which means that I view my clients with an unconditional positive regard. How can I help if I come in with preconceived ideas about a person? Your values, beliefs, and experiences matter, and my non-judgmental approach is an absolute necessity to help you on your journey.
I am a part-time therapist on the platform, and offer some evening hours Monday-Thursday only. Please note I do not offer any session availability on weekends. If this schedule seems to work well with you, I look forward to meeting you!
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Grief, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Divorce and separation, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fertility Issues, Forgiveness, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Infidelity, Intellectual Disability, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Mood disorders , Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
TX LPC 80882
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Claudia Smithart. 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.
Claudia is amazing I was very unsure of how therapy would go for my situation but she has completely changed my perspective of what to expect out of this!
Written on Nov 18, 2022 after therapy with Claudia for 2 weeks on issues concerning lgbt, and self esteem
Claudia is amazing. Listens very well and very caring. She can listen to me go on and on about my stressors but brings up the point that I often miss, how am I feeling about it? Super helpful!
Written on Feb 17, 2022 after therapy with Claudia for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, and adhd
She is a good listener and professional therapist.
Written on Feb 03, 2022 after therapy with Claudia for 1 month on issues concerning family conflicts
Excellent. Cludia was a great help!
Written on Jan 30, 2022 after therapy with Claudia for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with life changes, adhd, and intimacy-related issues
Amazing I love it
Written on Jan 18, 2022 after therapy with Claudia for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
I really like my therapist Claudia she really listens to my problems and helps me deal with things and very easy to talk to
Written on Dec 28, 2021 after therapy with Claudia for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and grief