Angela Smyser

LCSW, 8 years of experience
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New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

Hi, I’m Angela, a licensed clinical social worker who’s all about creating a space where you can just be real. Life gets heavy sometimes, and whether you're feeling anxious, burned out, stuck in a relationship pattern, or weighed down by past experiences, I’m here to help you sort through it without judgment. I work with adults who are ready to do the inner work, even if they’re not totally sure where to start. We’ll look at what’s getting in your way, explore the stories you’ve been telling yourself, and build tools that actually make a difference day to day. I pull from CBT, DBT, and strengths-based approaches to keep things practical and focused, but I also believe in the power of slowing down, getting curious, and creating space for growth. Clients often tell me they feel heard, supported, and challenged in all the right ways. My style is warm, down-to-earth, and honest. I’ll meet you where you are and walk alongside you as you figure out where you want to go. Whether you're working through anxiety, past trauma, relationship issues, or just trying to feel better in your own skin, you don’t have to do it alone. I'm here when you're ready.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Your first session with me is all about starting where you are. There’s no expectation to tell your whole story right away or to know exactly what you want out of therapy...just showing up is more than enough. We’ll start with a conversation about what’s been feeling heavy, confusing, or stuck in your life. I’ll ask some questions to get a better understanding of what you’re going through, what support looks like to you, and what you hope might feel different with time. You don’t need to prepare anything or say things perfectly. This is a space where you get to be honest—even if that means saying “I’m not sure what I’m feeling” or “I don’t know where to start.” That’s completely okay. A lot of clients tell me they were nervous before starting, but that after the first session, they felt more at ease and hopeful about moving forward. During our time together, you can expect warmth, curiosity, and absolutely no judgment. I’ll go at your pace and check in with you along the way to make sure you feel comfortable. We’ll explore the challenges you’re facing, but also begin noticing your strengths, values, and the things that have helped you survive up to this point. You’re the expert on your life...I’m here to help you sort through it, support your growth, and offer tools that actually feel useful. By the end of the session, we’ll talk about what ongoing therapy could look like for you...what feels manageable, what you’d like to work on, and whether you feel like we’re a good fit. It’s a no-pressure conversation, and you’re always in control of what comes next.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is creating a space where people feel safe enough to be real...no masks, no pressure to have it all together. I meet clients with genuine curiosity, warmth, and honesty, and I’m not afraid to gently challenge the patterns that might be keeping them stuck. My approach is collaborative, down-to-earth, and tailored to each person I work with. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. I draw from CBT, DBT, and strengths-based work to offer practical tools, but I also make space for deeper emotional work when needed. Clients often tell me they feel seen, heard, and understood in ways they haven’t before. I help people slow down, untangle the mental noise, and connect the dots between how they’re feeling, thinking, and showing up in their lives. Whether we’re working through anxiety, trauma, boundaries, or self-worth, my goal is always to support lasting change...not just surface-level fixes. What makes me unique is my ability to hold space for both the hard stuff and the hope, and to walk alongside clients as they move toward feeling more grounded, empowered, and like themselves again.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work best with people who are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or just plain tired of trying to hold everything together on their own. My ideal clients are often navigating anxiety, relationship stress, burnout, or past experiences that still linger in the present. They may not know exactly what they need...just that something feels off and they’re ready for things to feel different. You don’t need to have it all figured out to start therapy. You don’t need to be “strong” or have the right words. You just need to be willing to show up as you are. A lot of people I work with come in saying things like, “I don’t even know where to start,” or “I feel like I’ve lost myself.” That’s okay. We’ll work together to slow things down, make sense of what’s going on underneath the surface, and find small, manageable ways to move forward. I bring a mix of practical tools, curiosity, and compassion...and I’ll meet you with honesty and care, not judgment or pressure. Many of my clients are navigating transitions, emotional overload, or patterns that feel hard to break. Some are healing from trauma...whether that’s something big or a buildup of little hurts over time. Others are figuring out boundaries, learning to speak up for themselves, or trying to feel more at home in their own skin. Whatever you’re carrying, you don’t have to carry it alone. If you’re craving more clarity, confidence, or connection...with yourself or others...we’ll work together to help you get there, step by step, at your own pace.

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Virtual
My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I use CBT to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that are impacting how they feel and behave. Together, we look at how their thoughts may be shaping their emotions or fueling anxiety, depression, or self-doubt. I guide clients in learning to reframe those thoughts, develop healthier coping strategies, and take small, manageable steps toward change. I also incorporate CBT tools like thought records, behavior activation, and real-life practice between sessions. It’s a collaborative process, and I tailor it to each person’s pace and goals.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

I use DBT to help clients build skills in four core areas: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Many of my clients struggle with intense emotions, self-criticism, or feeling overwhelmed in relationships, and DBT provides concrete tools to help them navigate those challenges. I focus on helping clients stay present, manage emotional ups and downs, and respond more skillfully in tough situations. Whether we're working through a crisis or practicing healthier boundaries, I integrate DBT skills in a way that feels supportive, practical, and tailored to each client’s needs.

Strength-Based

I take a strengths-based approach, meaning I focus on what’s already working and help clients build on their inner resilience, values, and unique capabilities. Instead of only focusing on problems, we explore personal strengths and past successes as tools for navigating current challenges. This approach encourages confidence, self-awareness, and a sense of empowerment throughout the therapy process.

Attachment-based

I use an attachment-based approach to help clients understand how earlier relationships and past experiences show up in their lives now. We look at patterns around closeness, boundaries, trust, and emotional safety, especially in relationships that feel confusing or triggering. I’m not focused on labeling attachment styles. Instead, I help clients build awareness, self-compassion, and more secure ways of relating over time.

Trauma Informed Care

I work from a trauma-informed lens, which means I’m mindful of how past experiences can shape how people think, feel, and respond today. I focus on safety, pacing, and choice, and I don’t believe in pushing clients to go faster than they’re ready for. We move carefully and intentionally, with an emphasis on understanding, regulation, and long-term healing. When it’s helpful, I also incorporate reparenting or inner-child–informed work to explore where certain patterns or emotional reactions first took shape, with the goal of building a more compassionate and supportive relationship with oneself in the present.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.