LMFT

Brett Smith , LMFT

Therapist in California

Online therapy - get matched and start messaging.

About Brett

Brett Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 22 years of clinical experience. He pursued counseling after confronting his own PTSD as a combat veteran and former law enforcement officer, and that lived experience informs his clinical perspective. His work centers on understanding how trauma shapes behavior and how persistent symptoms can influence daily life, which has led him to focus much of his career on trauma treatment and personality disorders.

Clinically, Brett is known for a direct, pragmatic style and primarily uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), while remaining flexible to shift approaches when a client's situation calls for it. He has completed post-graduate work in hypnotherapy and is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist who draws on Ericksonian and transformational concepts. Years spent conducting emergency psychiatric assessments in hospital settings have further sharpened his diagnostic skills and his ability to manage complex presentations.

Outside of his professional life, Brett and his wife enjoy sailing their boat with plans to live aboard and travel, and they spend time backpacking, kayaking, and training dogs. He also maintains a YouTube channel with videos related to his clinical interests at https://www.youtube.com/@bashleys. Brett invites interested individuals to reach out so they can work together to reduce the burdens that interfere with living a fuller life.

Approaches That Translate Well to Online Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on building practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and tolerating distress. It is often used for clients coping with trauma-related symptoms, personality disorder features, and patterns of emotional dysregulation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through structured exercises and skill practice, and it is commonly applied for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. Hypnotherapy, particularly in the Ericksonian and transformational tradition, uses guided imagery and focused attention to support behavioral change and symptom relief, and it can be helpful for addressing trauma responses, sleep difficulties, and habit-related challenges.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the work itself. Brett collaborates with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and he adapts techniques when a different modality will better serve progress. This collaborative process helps shape a plan that aligns with each person's circumstances and readiness for change.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility by allowing sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit appointments into busy lives, maintain continuity of care when travel or relocation occurs, and access licensed professionals and therapists from a broader geographic area.

Frequently asked questions

How much experience does Brett Smith have?

Brett Smith has 22 years of experience in the counseling and mental health field.

Is Brett Smith a licensed therapist?

Yes. He is an LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. License details: CA LMFT 46410.

In which languages does Brett Smith provide therapy?

Brett provides therapy in English.

Where is Brett Smith located?

Brett Smith is located in California.

How can I work with Brett Smith as my therapist?

You can work with Brett Smith through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Brett Smith work with international clients?

Yes, Brett Smith works with international clients.

How much does therapy with Brett Smith cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issuesInfidelityJealousyVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexuality

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)HypnotherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness Therapy

Experience

22+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English

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