Dr. David Smith , LICSW

Dr. David Smith is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, addiction, grief, and other life transitions. He combines evidence-based methods with reflective, client-focused work to help people see new possibilities and draw on strengths they already possess. His book Grace and Authenticity: Uncovering the Authentic Self outlines his approach and methods for reducing stress and anxiety, shifting perceptions, and creating a clearer sense of direction in life.

Dr. Smith emphasizes the discovery of resilience and internal healing capacity so clients can build personalized strategies to overcome barriers to growth. He brings together cognitive techniques, psychodynamic insights, and client-centered principles to explore patterns, reshape responses, and support lasting change. Growth can be straightforward in concept even when it feels challenging in practice, and he frames therapeutic work as a series of practical steps toward clearer perspective and renewed possibility.

Based in Minnesota, Dr. Smith practices as an LICSW - a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - which reflects advanced training in clinical social work and authorization to provide independent clinical services. He works with individuals facing a wide range of concerns, including stress, trauma, relationship and intimacy issues, addiction, parenting and career challenges, and questions about life purpose and identity.

Approaches That Guide Online Therapy with Dr. Smith

Dr. Smith uses Client-Centered Therapy to ground sessions in the client’s own goals and experiences, creating a supportive space where a person’s priorities shape the work and self-understanding grows. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns that contribute to anxiety, low mood, and stress, offering practical tools for change. He also draws on Existential Therapy to explore meaning, values, and life direction when clients face questions about purpose, midlife concerns, or transitions.

Finding the best therapeutic approach is part of the process. Dr. Smith works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts strategies over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which provide flexibility for scheduling around work, family, and other commitments. These formats allow licensed professionals and therapists to offer consistent support across distances, helping people access care in ways that suit their daily lives and practical constraints.