Susanna Smith
I am Susanna W. Smith, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida, dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized, and evidence-based mental health care. I work with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional and behavioral challenges, relationship difficulties, and life transitions.
My therapeutic style balances compassion with gentle accountability, helping clients move beyond simply discussing their challenges toward developing practical strategies for meaningful change.
My therapeutic approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients develop emotional insight, strengthen coping skills, and achieve meaningful, lasting change. I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental therapeutic environment where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their journey toward emotional wellness.
First session
Your first therapy session is an opportunity for us to connect, begin building trust, and explore what brings you to therapy. I understand that starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you have never spoken with a therapist before. My priority is to create a warm, welcoming, and nonjudgmental environment where you feel comfortable being yourself. During our initial session, we will discuss your current concerns, personal experiences, strengths, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. I will ask thoughtful questions to better understand your needs, explain the therapeutic process, and answer any questions you may have. We will also begin identifying meaningful goals and discussing approaches that may best support your emotional well-being. There is no pressure to share everything at once or have all the answers. Therapy is a collaborative journey, and we will move at a pace that respects your comfort and readiness. My hope is that you leave your first session feeling heard, respected, supported, and reassured that you have taken a positive step toward personal growth and healing. You do not have to have it all figured out to begin. Sometimes, the most meaningful change starts with simply showing up.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel genuinely heard, understood, and respected. I bring empathy, clinical insight, patience, and a thoughtful, individualized approach to every session. I recognize that each client’s experiences, challenges, and goals are unique, and I tailor treatment to meet their specific needs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. My therapeutic style balances compassion with gentle accountability, helping clients move beyond simply discussing their challenges toward developing practical strategies for meaningful change. By integrating evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I help clients strengthen emotional awareness, identify unhelpful patterns, develop effective coping skills, and build healthier relationships. What distinguishes my approach is my commitment to looking beyond presenting symptoms to understand the whole person, including their strengths, life experiences, relationships, and personal values. I believe meaningful therapeutic progress develops through a strong, collaborative relationship in which clients feel empowered to grow at their own pace while working toward lasting emotional wellness.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who is seeking a safe, supportive space to feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their life. I welcome children, adolescents, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, emotional and behavioral challenges, low self-esteem, or significant life transitions. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, struggling to manage your emotions, experiencing difficulties in your relationships, or simply wanting to better understand yourself, you do not have to navigate these challenges alone. You do not need to have everything figured out before beginning therapy. You may feel uncertain, hesitant, emotionally exhausted, or unsure where to start, and that is perfectly okay. I value working with individuals who are willing to explore their experiences, discover their strengths, and take steps toward personal growth, even when change feels difficult. My goal is to help you develop greater self-awareness, build confidence, strengthen coping skills, establish healthier relationships, and create a more fulfilling and emotionally balanced life. Together, we will work at a pace that feels comfortable for you, focusing on what matters most to your well-being. Wherever you are in your journey, you deserve to feel supported, respected, and hopeful about the possibilities ahead.
Treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients learn practical ways to manage their emotions, handle stressful situations, and build healthier relationships. Sometimes, emotions can feel overwhelming, making it difficult to think clearly, communicate effectively, or respond to challenges in a healthy way. DBT teaches skills that can make these moments easier to manage. In our sessions, we work on understanding your emotions, staying calm during difficult situations, managing stress, setting healthy boundaries, and communicating your needs with confidence. I also help you learn how to accept things you cannot control while making positive changes in areas where you do have control. My approach is supportive, practical, and tailored to your individual needs. Together, we will practice skills you can use in everyday life so you can feel more confident, emotionally balanced, and better prepared to handle life’s challenges. The goal is not to eliminate difficult emotions, but to help you manage them without allowing them to control your life.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients manage difficult thoughts and emotions while building a life that reflects what truly matters to them. Sometimes, we spend so much time worrying, overthinking, or trying to avoid uncomfortable feelings that it becomes difficult to move forward. ACT helps you learn how to handle these experiences without allowing them to control your decisions or prevent you from enjoying life. In our sessions, we work on understanding your thoughts and feelings, letting go of the struggle to control everything, and learning how to respond to challenges in healthier ways. We also explore your personal values, such as family, relationships, self-respect, and personal growth, and identify small, meaningful steps you can take toward the life you want. My approach is compassionate, practical, and focused on helping you develop greater emotional flexibility, confidence, and self-awareness. Together, we will build skills that help you navigate uncertainty, overcome emotional barriers, and make choices that align with your goals. The goal is not to eliminate difficult thoughts or feelings, but to help you live a meaningful and fulfilling life even when challenges arise.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Sometimes, the way we think about ourselves, others, or certain situations can affect how we feel and respond to life’s challenges. CBT helps you recognize negative or unhelpful thinking patterns and develop healthier ways of managing difficult emotions and situations. In our sessions, we work together to identify thoughts and behaviors that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, or relationship difficulties. I help you learn practical skills to challenge negative thinking, manage overwhelming emotions, build confidence, solve problems, and develop healthier coping habits. My approach is supportive, collaborative, and tailored to your individual needs. Together, we will explore everyday challenges and practice strategies you can use outside of therapy to create positive, lasting changes. The goal is to help you understand how your thoughts influence your feelings and actions so you can respond to life’s challenges with greater confidence, balance, and control.
Trauma-Focused CBT
I use Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to help children and adolescents understand and cope with difficult or traumatic experiences that may be affecting their emotions, behaviors, relationships, or everyday lives. Trauma can leave young people feeling scared, anxious, angry, sad, or overwhelmed, even long after the experience has ended. TF-CBT helps them make sense of these feelings and develop healthier ways to cope. In our sessions, I create a safe, supportive, and understanding environment where children and teens can express themselves at a pace that feels comfortable. We work on identifying emotions, managing difficult thoughts, building coping skills, and reducing the impact of painful experiences. When appropriate, I also involve parents or caregivers to help them better understand their child’s needs and provide support at home. My approach is compassionate, patient, and tailored to each child’s age, experiences, and emotional needs. Together, we focus on helping young people feel safer, build confidence, strengthen their sense of self, and move forward without allowing past experiences to define their future. The goal is not to erase what happened, but to help children and teens heal, regain a sense of safety, and recognize that their experiences do not determine who they are or who they can become.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
I use culturally responsive therapy to ensure that every client feels respected, understood, and valued for who they are. Our backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, family traditions, and life experiences shape how we see ourselves, relate to others, and respond to challenges. I recognize that what works for one person may not work for another, which is why I take the time to understand your unique experiences and what matters most to you. In our sessions, we explore how your personal values, cultural background, family relationships, and life experiences may influence your thoughts, emotions, and overall well-being. I provide a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment where you can openly discuss your experiences without fear of being misunderstood or judged. Together, we identify strategies that respect your beliefs, honor your identity, and support your personal goals. My approach is compassionate, open-minded, and tailored to your individual needs. I believe therapy should recognize and celebrate your strengths while helping you navigate challenges in ways that feel meaningful and authentic to you. The goal is not to change who you are, but to help you grow, heal, and thrive while remaining true to yourself and what matters most in your life.
Location
Virtual sessions