- Client-Centered approach
- Gottman Method work
- Mindfulness techniques
About Steven
Steven Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, licensed in California (CA LMFT), with 10 years of experience. He works with individuals and couples and lists social anxiety and phobia-related concerns among his focus areas, along with anxiety, depression, bipolar, and trauma. He speaks English and practices in California.
He approaches therapy using Client-Centered and Existential perspectives. That means sessions focus on what the client wants to change and on practical steps toward those goals. He listens for what matters to each person and helps them set attainable steps rather than imposing a plan.
Sessions commonly address relationship patterns, communication problems, and issues that increase daily stress. He also works with concerns such as addiction, grief, intimacy-related issues, gender dysphoria, and challenges linked to family of origin. For people navigating avoidant personality patterns, commitment worries, or difficulties with intimacy, he offers a straightforward, goal-focused way of working.
Mindfulness techniques and Motivational Interviewing are part of his practice when clients want tools for emotional regulation or to shift unhelpful behaviors. He also uses the Gottman Method to structure work on communication and conflict when couples choose that approach. He frames these methods in clear, everyday language during sessions.
Clients can expect a conversational style with an emphasis on practical steps and clearer decision-making. Steven aims to help people reduce overwhelm and build manageable strategies for facing social situations and relationship challenges. Before booking, confirm the current session formats and scheduling details.
Therapeutic approaches for online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following what the client feels is most important. In online sessions this looks like asking about the client's immediate concerns, reflecting what is said, and helping set personal goals that feel doable. Existential Therapy invites people to talk about values, meaning, and life choices; online work can help when someone wants to clarify what matters and make choices that fit their life.Mindfulness Therapy adds simple practices to notice thoughts and bodily sensations without judgment. Those techniques can help manage anxiety around social situations or pressure to perform. The therapist will talk with each person about which methods feel useful and adjust the approach over time, so finding the right mix is collaborative rather than fixed.
Confirm current session formats before booking, since the original biography did not specify exact online options. Many people find online sessions helpful for fitting therapy into a busy day, reducing travel time, and making scheduling easier around work or family commitments. Some formats can be shorter check-ins, or sessions that do not require being on camera, which can be easier for people who find face-to-face interaction stressful. The therapist will review practical arrangements and session length when arranging the first appointment.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he work with?
He supports people with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, relationship issues, and related concerns such as addiction, grief, and intimacy problems.
What is his style in sessions?
He uses a conversational, goal-focused style that centers the client's priorities and works on concrete steps rather than offering prescriptive solutions.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has ten years of professional experience as a clinician working with individuals and couples in California.
What are his credentials and location?
He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a California license listed as CA LMFT and practices in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he work with clients outside the United States?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Session cost varies with location, and scheduling uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling your first session.