I am a dedicated mental health professional with a BS in Education, an M.Ed. in School Counseling, and an MA in Mental Health Counseling. My personal and professional journey has been shaped by the mentorship of others, and I consider it a blessing to now offer that same guidance to those seeking growth and healing.
Across my lifetime of experience, I have worked in multiple counseling settings and developed expertise in trauma, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and family-related challenges. I believe that every person carries some degree of brokenness, and that healing requires understanding our past and present pain so we can grow into our fullest potential. Within this realm, I also include Christian Counseling within my approach for those who desire it.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change happens through connection. I help individuals learn to communicate from the heart, listen to understand, and take tangible steps toward relieving emotional pain and discomfort. It is my honor to walk alongside each client, using evidence-based therapeutic approaches to support their movement toward wholeness, clarity, and renewed purpose.
Additional areas of focus: Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Aging and geriatric issues, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Communication problems, Control issues, Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Mood disorders, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
FL LMHC MH11155
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Deborah Smart. 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.
I love working with Deborah! She’s made something I was so nervous about east and enjoyable!
Written on Dec 20, 2022 after therapy with Deborah for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and coaching
Deborah has a wonderful gift and many tools to help you. I am blessed to have found her.
Written on Dec 04, 2022 after therapy with Deborah for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and anger management
Deborah is so attentive, caring, very good listener, non-biased and I haven’t had a therapist like this ever before. I look forward to my weekly sessions with her all the time.
Written on Nov 29, 2022 after therapy with Deborah for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
In the two months we worked together, Debbie consistently proved to be a remarkable resource. She is insightful, compassionate, and professional. She is not only a great listener, but she often took the initiative to reach out to me by message to see how I was doing between sessions. That was so helpful to my healing journey! I didn't even know how much I needed it at the time, but her thoughtfulness and empathy really touched me. She helped me to understand my grief and depression and come to terms with my loss in a positive way, and I was finally able to move out from the dark cloud hanging over me. Thank you!
Written on Nov 01, 2022 after therapy with Deborah for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, intimacy-related issues, career difficulties, and compassion fatigue
Deborah was amazing to work with. Very compassionate and understanding and able to work through things in my life very well. Would highly recommend her!
Written on Aug 20, 2022 after therapy with Deborah for 3 weeks
She is very compassionate and offers great suggestions and listens. She too a lot of time to listen
Written on Aug 09, 2022 after therapy with Deborah for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue