Valerie Smith

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

My primary therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with an emphasis on Reality Therapy. I believe therapeutic interventions are most effective when the reality faced by an individual is uncovered, and the connected thought and behavioral patterns are explored and addressed. As a therapist I utilize CBT to eliminate negative thought processes, build positive thought processes, improve coping skills, and healthy behavioral patterns.

Reality Therapy

As mentioned above, Reality Therapy is utilized in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Uncovering the reality of your current situation is the most impactful way to provide effective and realistic solutions related to your current decisions and behaviors. I utilize this approach to assist in improving self-confidence, self-awareness and self-accountability, while improving decision-making and building empowerment.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

As a therapist, I utilize Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to assist in managing emotions by building emotional regulation, effective stress management skills, healthy communication skills, strong coping skills. There is also an emphasis on learning to live in the current moment (Mindfulness).

Couples Counseling

As a therapist, my focus for Couples Therapy I utilize a variety of clinical interventions (The Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Couples Therapy) to assist couples in strengthening their relationship dynamics by improving communication, resolving conflicts, building healthy emotional bonds, improving problem solving skills, eliminating negative thoughts and behaviors. Once improvement is noted, I then focus on reinforcing positive behaviors and communication patterns.

Family Therapy

My approach for Family Therapy centers around how all individuals in the family impact the family system as a whole, while identifying areas of needed improvement. As a therapist, I emphasize examining the family structure and individual roles, resolving identified issues between family members, improving communication, interactions, and strengthen the family unit as a whole.