Steven Smith, LMFT
Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging
About me
I am a licensed marriage and family counselor, practicing in the state of California. My focus is with individuals and couples. I have a bachelor's in Psychology, and a Master's in Clinical Psychology. I have 6 years of experience working with clients of varying ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and socioeconomic status. I work well with, but am not limited to; clients struggling with anxiety, depression, bipolar, and PTSD. I use a client centered, existentialist approach, which essentially means that I work with you to help you be the way you want to be. I listen to your needs, and work with you to set your own goals. I am not here to "fix" people, and I am not focused on changing people. Instead, I hope to assist you in your path toward life satisfaction, and to not be overwhelmed by your symptoms.
Professional experience
6yrs in practice
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Avoidant Personality, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Blended Family Issues, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication Problems, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and Separation, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Family Problems, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and Shame, Impulsivity, Isolation/Loneliness, Life Purpose, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Phobias, Post-traumatic Stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-Harm, Sex Addiction, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Trichotillomania
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused Therapy
License information
CA LMFT 124809
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Steven 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.
Steven is someone who is genuine, and really cares about the concerns and feelings of his patients. We have been working together for a while now, and he challenges me to think of things in a new perspective. I would recommend him a 100x over.
Written on Oct 06, 2022 after therapy with Steven for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
I really like Steven a lot. I wanted someone who had an understanding and sympathy for alternative lifestyles, and he is very supportive an understanding. And he is very good at relating to you in a way the ayncs up with your own mental space. He's awesome.
Written on Jul 27, 2022 after therapy with Steven for 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues
Wonderful
Written on Apr 27, 2022 after therapy with Steven for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Steven has always allowed me the space to vent & is very perceptive on when to step in & ask me to dig into something a little deeper to get to the root of the issue. He’s been vital to my mental health since I started meeting with him 7 months ago
Written on Feb 09, 2022 after therapy with Steven for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
I feel comfortable being myself with him. He provides a very comfortable non-judgemental space which gives me the ability to articulate well., and that's very important to me. He also seems like a very genuinely kind person, and I could not appreciate that more.
Written on Sep 29, 2021 after therapy with Steven for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and adhd
Steven is possibly one of the finest therapists I've encountered in my sixteen years of counseling and therapy. He is genuine, he listens, and he doesn't try to tell you how you should be living your life, or dish out positive-sounding but ultimately empty platitudes. I come away from my sessions grateful for having been able to speak myself, free of any judgment. I appreciate and respect his approach to therapy immensely.
Written on Sep 09, 2021 after therapy with Steven for 2 months on issues concerning trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, bipolar disorder, and adhd