Kelly Smith, LCSW
Compassionate practical support for life transitions
Continue with Kelly
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- Emotion regulation skills
- Thought restructuring
- Identity and relationships
About Kelly
Kelly Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 30 years of experience helping adults navigate hard life moments. Kelly is calm and direct in sessions. She listens closely and offers practical ways to manage stress, anxiety, grief, or midlife changes. People who come for relationship strain, parenting pressure, or questions about identity will find a respectful, nonjudgmental space.
Kelly blends straightforward conversation with proven techniques to make progress feel doable. Sessions often focus on identifying unhelpful patterns, trying new habits, and practicing skills between meetings. She uses elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to reframe thoughts and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to build emotion regulation skills.
Her work also draws from Client-Centered and Mindfulness approaches to strengthen self-awareness and present-moment coping. Motivational Interviewing helps when someone is weighing big life changes or struggling with motivation. Kelly adapts these methods to each person’s needs rather than following a fixed plan.
With a background that includes psychotherapy and clinical supervision, Kelly has supported people through trauma, addiction, mood conditions, and relationship difficulties. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and validation while helping clients set realistic goals. The focus is on small, steady shifts that add up over time.
If someone wants practical tools and steady support during transitions, Kelly offers collaborative guidance and clear next steps.
Kelly blends straightforward conversation with proven techniques to make progress feel doable. Sessions often focus on identifying unhelpful patterns, trying new habits, and practicing skills between meetings. She uses elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to reframe thoughts and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to build emotion regulation skills.
Her work also draws from Client-Centered and Mindfulness approaches to strengthen self-awareness and present-moment coping. Motivational Interviewing helps when someone is weighing big life changes or struggling with motivation. Kelly adapts these methods to each person’s needs rather than following a fixed plan.
With a background that includes psychotherapy and clinical supervision, Kelly has supported people through trauma, addiction, mood conditions, and relationship difficulties. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and validation while helping clients set realistic goals. The focus is on small, steady shifts that add up over time.
If someone wants practical tools and steady support during transitions, Kelly offers collaborative guidance and clear next steps.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
AddictionsFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapySystemic Therapy
Experience
30+ years
Credentials
New York, California, Virginia, Washington
Languages
English
Approaches that translate to online work
Kelly commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on noticing and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety or depression. CBT sessions tend to be structured and skills-focused, which can fit into weekly or short-term work.She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills help with intense emotions, relationship conflicts, and coping during life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy is another influence, emphasizing a respectful, listening stance that supports people as they make decisions.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Kelly will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, and then adjust methods over time. The aim is to find practical tools the client is willing to try between sessions.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm available session formats before booking since current options are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT and DBT exercises to work well in remote sessions, and Kelly will help tailor the work to each person's life and schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Kelly address?
Kelly works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, grief, relationship problems, parenting challenges, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe Kelly’s therapeutic style?
Her approach is warm, interactive, and engaging, with an emphasis on validation, respect, and sensitivity during sessions.
What is Kelly’s professional background?
Kelly has 30 years of experience as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, working across many presenting concerns and settings.
Where does Kelly practice and what are her credentials?
Kelly is licensed in Virginia and also holds LCSW in New York; she practices from Virginia and lists LCSW as her credential.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with Kelly?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How does cost and billing work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working with Kelly?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.