As a therapist, my goal is to walk alongside you, focusing on your specific needs to help you feel comfortable, accepted, and understood without judgment. I work with people navigating challenges like depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation, relationship struggles, grief, and the overwhelm of a disordered life. My clients are often ready to establish more balance but feel stuck, unsure of how to cope or manage themselves and their relationships. I’m here to help you build the tools to make that balance a reality. I draw from a flexible mix of approaches, tailored to you. This includes evidence-based trauma methods—like trauma-focused therapy—alongside client-centered therapy, solution-focused techniques, and motivational interviewing. Whether we’re addressing painful memories or finding practical ways to improve communication, I adjust my style to fit what you need most.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we’ll start with brief introductions, and you’ll have a chance to ask me any questions. Then, we’ll identify the specific challenges you’re facing and what you’d like to achieve together. This helps me create a plan we’ll work through in our follow-up sessions, keeping your goals at the center.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My aim is for you to leave our time together with a stronger sense of self-worth, freedom from emotions tied to past trauma, and better skills for coping and communicating constructively. Many of my clients report feeling these shifts—increased positive self-image, emotional relief, and confidence in handling life’s demands. I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
If you are someone who wants to feel heard, really heard, without any judgment. You’re tired of feeling overwhelmed or like you’re just getting by, and you’re open to figuring out what’s been holding you back. Maybe your thoughts keep spinning, your mood’s all over the place, or you’re not sure how to connect with the people you care about. Or maybe there’s a past hurt that’s still weighing you down. Whatever it is, you’re ready to try something new—and I’d love to help. You don’t need to have it all figured out. My dream client is someone who’s okay starting small—maybe just showing up and saying, “I want things to feel different.” I’ll walk with you, not push you, and together we’ll find tools that work for you. Whether it’s quieting those anxious thoughts with some practical strategies, sorting through grief at your own pace, or feeling stronger in yourself, I’m here for it. If you’re someone who likes a guide—not a boss—and you’d feel good knowing your wins (big or small) matter to me, we might be a great fit. I’d love to see you start feeling freer, more like yourself, with a little less of that heavy stuff holding you back.
About Elizabeth Smith
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
A person-centered approach is all about putting you at the heart of the process. It’s based on the idea that you’re the expert on your own life, and my role is to listen deeply, without judgment, and create a space where you feel safe to explore your thoughts and feelings. Instead of me telling you what to do, we work together to uncover what matters most to you and how you want to move forward. Here’s how it can help: For someone struggling with depression or anxiety, this approach lets you process those heavy emotions at your own pace, without feeling rushed or misunderstood. I’ve seen clients start to feel less alone in their struggles because they’re truly heard—often for the first time. If you’re dealing with trauma, it gives you the freedom to share what you’re ready to, helping release some of that emotional weight without pressure. For relationship challenges, it can clarify what you need or value, making it easier to communicate with others. What makes it powerful is the trust we build. You don’t have to fit into a one-size-fits-all plan—instead, we focus on your unique strengths and goals. Many of my clients say this helps them feel more confident in themselves, like they’re regaining control over their life. Over time, they notice a shift: a stronger self-image, less overwhelm, and a sense of being understood that carries into how they cope and connect with others.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
With a cognitive-behavioral approach, or CBT, is like a toolkit for understanding and shifting how your thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. It starts with the idea that our thoughts can shape how we feel and what we do—and sometimes, those thoughts get stuck in unhelpful patterns. My job is to help you spot those patterns and find practical ways to change them, all at a pace that feels right for you. Here’s how it helps: If you’re dealing with anxiety, we might notice thoughts like ‘I’m going to mess this up’ popping up a lot. Together, we’d test if that’s really true and come up with calmer, more balanced ways to think about it—like ‘I’ve handled tough stuff before.’ For depression, it can mean breaking the cycle of negative self-talk that keeps you down, replacing it with something kinder and more realistic. With relationship struggles, CBT can help you see how your thoughts about others affect your reactions, opening the door to better communication. Even with grief or trauma, it gives you tools to manage overwhelming emotions so they don’t control your day. What I love about it is how hands-on it is—we don’t just talk about the problem, we work on solutions you can use right away. Clients often tell me they feel more in control, less overwhelmed, and better equipped to handle life’s ups and downs. It’s not about erasing the hard stuff—it’s about building skills to face it with confidence, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is about recognizing that past experiences—like trauma—can shape how you feel, think, and move through life, even if you don’t always see the connection. It’s not just about "fixing" the trauma itself; it’s about creating a safe, trusting space where you feel in control and supported. I approach every session with the understanding that what you’ve been through matters, and we’ll work together in a way that respects your pace and needs. Here’s how it helps: If you’re struggling with anxiety or mood swings, we might explore how old survival habits—like staying on edge—don’t serve you anymore, and find gentler ways to feel secure. For depression or grief, it means honoring what you’ve lost without pushing you to ‘get over it’ before you’re ready. In relationships, it can help you understand why trust or communication feels hard and build skills to feel safer with others. The focus is on safety and choice—so you’re never forced to revisit painful memories unless you want to. What makes it special is how it shifts the lens: instead of asking ‘What’s wrong with you?’, we ask "What happened to you?" and "How can we move forward together?" Clients often tell me they feel less judged, more understood, and freer from the weight of their past. It’s about giving you the tools to reclaim your strength and balance, with me right there beside you.