- ACT and CBT methods
- Mindfulness practice
- Client-centered style
About Courtney
Dr. Courtney Chism is an AL LICSW social worker with 16 years of experience. She works with people struggling with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, and depression.
Dr. Chism focuses on practical ways to make daily life more manageable. She uses methods that help people notice unhelpful thoughts, practice new behaviors, and reconnect with what matters to them. Sessions are collaborative and paced to each person's comfort level.
Her approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive behavioral tools, dialectical behavior skills, mindfulness practices, and a client-centered stance. That means sessions can include skill teaching, reflective conversation, and exercises to reduce reactivity and increase coping. She also addresses specific concerns such as abandonment, attachment issues, body image, and caregiving stress.
People who come for help with chronic pain, illness, or disability find ways to adjust expectations and manage symptoms alongside emotional work. Relationship issues like infidelity, communication problems, commitment worries, and separation are also part of her clinical focus.
Dr. Chism aims to honor each person’s background and experience while working toward concrete steps forward. She invites people to set goals together and to try approaches that fit their life and values.
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions fit
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters to them and take action toward those values even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present. It can be useful for anxiety, avoidance, and feeling stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and practicing alternatives to change mood and reaction. CBT often includes simple homework and skill practice between sessions.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Dr. Chism collaborates with each person to see which methods suit their goals and daily life. That means trying different techniques and adjusting the plan based on what helps most.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make scheduling easier and help fit therapy into busy days. It also allows focus on skills practice, tracking progress between meetings, and using structured exercises without needing extra travel. The emphasis is on finding practical approaches that fit a person's routine and needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Listed in
Alabama
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, and depression, plus related issues such as abandonment and body image.
What is her therapy style like?
Sessions are collaborative and client-centered, using skills teaching, reflective conversation, and practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns.
How much experience does she have?
She has 16 years of clinical experience working with a range of emotional and interpersonal concerns.
What are her credentials and location?
She practices as an AL LICSW in Alabama.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How does payment work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.