Colleen Canfield-Smith , LMHC

Colleen Canfield-Smith brings a warm, supportive approach to therapy, inviting clients to explore challenges and identify the strengths they already possess. She emphasizes the therapeutic partnership as a collaborative process that helps people uncover resources and make the changes they want in their lives. Colleen recognizes the courage it takes to reach out for help and views it as a shared journey rather than a one-sided process.

Her professional background spans work in schools, hospitals, community service agencies, and primary care settings, and she also draws on lived experience as a mother to three children and two large dogs. Those varied roles have informed her understanding of the practical and emotional issues clients often face. She uses a blend of cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused techniques alongside strength-based approaches to address concerns such as life transitions, depression, anxiety, parenting challenges, and work-related stress.

Colleen holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Boston College and certifications in integrated behavioral health for pediatrics and primary care. She is also a licensed mental health counselor - LMHC. In sessions she incorporates humor, relaxation training, and mindfulness practices as appropriate, while respecting that clients are the experts on their own needs and guiding the pace and focus of their work.

Approaches and remote care that fit your life

Colleen frequently integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy into her online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on building a respectful, empathetic relationship where the client’s goals and perspective guide the sessions - it is especially helpful for people seeking validation, self-exploration, and support through life changes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and problem-solving.

She also uses mindfulness techniques to help clients develop present-moment awareness and simple practices for managing stress and emotional reactivity. These methods can complement CBT and client-centered work by offering practical tools for day-to-day coping.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Colleen works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She helps clients try different strategies and refines the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging enable ongoing support that can fit work, family, and other responsibilities. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access licensed professionals from home, and choose the format that feels most comfortable for the individual.