Claudia Smith , LCSW

Claudia Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with 40 years of professional experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, low self-esteem and challenges with motivation. She views each person as the expert of their own story and builds on individual strengths to support meaningful change. Claudia works with a broad range of concerns, including ADHD, grief, bipolar disorder, family and blended-family issues, attachment and adoption matters, codependency, substance use, chronic illness and pain, and questions about life purpose and fatherhood.

She draws on client-centered listening alongside techniques from dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and solution-focused work to tailor practical strategies to each person’s goals. Claudia emphasizes encouragement, empowerment and steady support for those taking the first steps toward a more fulfilling life. She is accepting new clients, including international clients, and offers flexible modalities to meet varying needs.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care

Client-Centered Therapy places the person’s experience at the center of the work, emphasizing empathic listening and collaboration so clients can clarify values, build confidence and set meaningful goals - useful for self-esteem, motivation and relationship concerns.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on teaching practical skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress and improving interpersonal effectiveness. These skills can help with impulsivity, addiction-related urges and patterns of emotional reactivity.

Mindfulness Therapy cultivates present-moment awareness and simple practices that reduce reactivity and improve concentration, which can be helpful for anxiety, stress, chronic pain and attention-related difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Claudia Smith will collaborate with each client to determine which methods best match their needs, goals and preferences. She works alongside licensed professionals and therapists when coordination of care is appropriate.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit therapy into work, family and travel schedules. These options increase accessibility for people living far from clinic offices or balancing complex obligations while maintaining consistent therapeutic support.