Dr. Lance Smith , LMFT

Dr. Lance Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with more than 25 years of clinical experience working with young people, individuals, couples, and families across a range of concerns. Licensed to practice in California, Oklahoma, and Utah, he has supported clients facing depression, anxiety, family conflict, parenting struggles, autism spectrum challenges, anger management, and ADHD, and he has assisted couples through premarital and marital counseling.

Known for a thoughtful and compassionate approach, Dr. Smith aims to establish a therapeutic environment where clients feel respected and comfortable exploring the difficulties that brought them to therapy. He tailors his work to each person or family, drawing on proven methods to help address practical problems and emotional pain.

Depending on a client’s goals, his counseling may blend cognitive-behavioral techniques, person-centered listening, solution-focused strategies, experiential exercises, narrative work, and family systems perspectives. This flexible integration of approaches allows him to respond to the particular dynamics and strengths of each client. Dr. Smith is committed to helping people move toward their goals and welcomes the opportunity to support individuals, couples, and families in their work toward change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Dr. Smith often draws from client-centered therapy, attachment-based therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy to guide his online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening with empathy and helping clients explore their own goals and values, which can be especially helpful for building self-esteem and addressing personal struggles. Attachment-based therapy examines how early relationships influence current patterns, supporting work on intimacy, abandonment concerns, and relational difficulties. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Smith collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting the plan as progress unfolds.

Online sessions offer practical flexibility - clients can meet by video call, speak by phone, or use live chat and text messaging when that format fits better with daily life. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to access consistent support from licensed professionals regardless of geographic constraints.