Cathy Smith , LPC

Cathy Smith began her professional journey after earning undergraduate degrees in Sociology with a focus in Criminology and in Spanish. Her early work in a residential treatment home for youth with emotional and mental illnesses sparked a lasting interest in psychology and counseling. After starting a family she returned to school to obtain a teaching certificate and a master’s degree in Special Education. Following many years of teaching in institutional, public, private, and alternative settings, she chose to deepen her clinical training and completed a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, earning licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) - a credential for practicing clinical counseling.

She views the therapeutic relationship as central to effective counseling, as it was to her work as an educator. Cathy approaches each person with curiosity about their ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual preference, work, and belief systems, while remaining mindful of professional limits. She tailors methods to individual goals, drawing on tools such as motivational interviewing, client-centered work, solution-focused techniques, psychoeducational interventions, mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Her experience spans a wide age range, working with clients from four through seventy-nine years old on issues including depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, trauma, sexual and physical abuse, parenting challenges, learning differences, and support for people on the autism spectrum. A strength-based orientation permeates her practice - building on each person’s existing resources and partnering with them to pursue greater wellbeing and satisfaction.

Approaches and Online Therapy Options

Cathy commonly uses Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness Therapy in her practice. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a trusting, empathetic relationship and creating a space where the client’s own insights guide change; it suits people seeking support through exploration of feelings and personal values. CBT is a structured approach that helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and practical techniques to reduce reactivity and improve emotional regulation, often supporting clients coping with stress, trauma responses, and recurring mood challenges.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Cathy works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods align with their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques over time as clients progress and as new priorities emerge.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit care into busy schedules or when in-person options are limited. For many people, remote sessions increase accessibility and allow consistent work with licensed professionals and therapists from diverse locations.