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Steven Smith, LMFT

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Steven is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

5.0 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Steven. View 16 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in California

Recent reviews

Steven changed my life. He's your guy.

Reviewed August 2024

Steven is so sweet and a GREAT listener. He paraphrases what I say and helps me breakdown what I’m feeling so I can better understand myself.

Reviewed July 2024

More about Steven

  • 7 years' experience
  • Male
  • LMFT

I am a licensed marriage and family counselor, practicing in the state of California. My focus is with individuals and couples. I have a bachelor's in Psychology, and a Master's in Clinical Psychology. I have 6 years of experience working with clients of varying ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and socioeconomic status. I work well with, but am not limited to; clients struggling with anxiety, depression, bipolar, and PTSD. I use a client centered, existentialist approach, which essentially means that I work with you to help you be the way you want to be. I listen to your needs, and work with you to set your own goals. I am not here to "fix" people, and I am not focused on changing people. Instead, I hope to assist you in your path toward life satisfaction, and to not be overwhelmed by your symptoms.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Relationship issues Trauma and abuse Bipolar disorder Depression Addictions LGBT Family conflicts Grief Intimacy-related issues Parenting issues Anger management Self esteem Coping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD Avoidant personality BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture Blended family issues Co-morbidity Codependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issues Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) Dissociation Divorce and separation Drug and alcohol addiction Family problems Gender dysphoria Guilt and shame Impulsivity Isolation / loneliness Life purpose Mood disorders Multicultural concerns Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Phobias Post-traumatic stress Prejudice and discrimination Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling) Self-harm Sex addiction Sexual assault and abuse Social anxiety and phobia Trichotillomania

Treatment Approaches

  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Existential Therapy
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Trauma-Focused Therapy

Licenses

Steven Smith's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1528439957.

  • LMFT · California · 124809 · Expires March 2025

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.

Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.

Reviews for Steven Smith

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

5.0

16 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Great Comfortable Understanding Genuine Understand Confident Grateful Helped Listens Professional

Steven changed my life. He's your guy.

Reviewed August 2024

Steven is so sweet and a GREAT listener. He paraphrases what I say and helps me breakdown what I’m feeling so I can better understand myself.

Reviewed July 2024

He has helped me keep my anger in control.

Reviewed May 2024

Steven is great. Doesn't tell you how you should live but instead figures out how you want to live and helps you get there. Single best therapist I've had.

Reviewed May 2024

Steven makes me feel very comfortable to be open and honest. I am hard on myself and he helps to soften that. I appreciate that Steven shares his thoughts and thats it not just nod and listen therapy.

Reviewed September 2023

Steven is someone who is genuine, and really cares about the concerns and feelings of his patients. We have been working together for a while now, and he challenges me to think of things in a new perspective. I would recommend him a 100x over.

Reviewed November 2022

I really like Steven a lot. I wanted someone who had an understanding and sympathy for alternative lifestyles, and he is very supportive an understanding. And he is very good at relating to you in a way the ayncs up with your own mental space. He's awesome.

Reviewed July 2022

Wonderful

Reviewed April 2022

Steven has always allowed me the space to vent & is very perceptive on when to step in & ask me to dig into something a little deeper to get to the root of the issue. He’s been vital to my mental health since I started meeting with him 7 months ago

Reviewed February 2022

great! very comfortable and understanding.

Reviewed December 2021

I feel comfortable being myself with him. He provides a very comfortable non-judgemental space which gives me the ability to articulate well., and that's very important to me. He also seems like a very genuinely kind person, and I could not appreciate that more.

Reviewed September 2021

Steven is possibly one of the finest therapists I've encountered in my sixteen years of counseling and therapy. He is genuine, he listens, and he doesn't try to tell you how you should be living your life, or dish out positive-sounding but ultimately empty platitudes. I come away from my sessions grateful for having been able to speak myself, free of any judgment. I appreciate and respect his approach to therapy immensely.

Reviewed September 2021

Steven is a thoughtful person, who brings an immense amount of understanding and empathy — all while doing so in a way that that never exceeds his bounds as a professional. Rarely do you meet someone who manages to juggle an extremely proficient grasp on his field of expertise, while presenting it in a way that allows for anybody, especially those of us who are going through tough times and may not have the best frame of mind in the moment, to completely understand the points he’s trying to get across. His solutions are simple and un-intrusive to anyone’s lifestyle; he will only be as informed as you want him to be, all while doing his best to help you find a solution. One of the first things he told me was a message of reassurance that we’d only expound upon my trauma as much as I would like to, and instead focus on finding a solution that would allow me to live a better life. That sums him up quite well: a solution finder, and a human being.

Reviewed September 2021

He’s always here to listen. In the times that you have a lot to unload, he’s all ears and he’ll chime in when he feels that you’re ready for input. He gets to the root of the problem and gives great solutions to move forward. He always answers super fast to your messages and journal entries. It’s been a great experience talking to him since starting therapy. He immediately got rid of any concerns that I had about starting therapy. I felt comfortable as soon as we began talking.

Reviewed July 2021

Great!

Reviewed July 2021

I appreciate that he checks how I'm doing in regards to progress and does check about areas I'm less confident on in terms of my progress. I also like that he encourages me to pursue activities I enjoy vs discouraging them because they may not lead to some of my primary goals.

Reviewed July 2021

How was your experience with Steven?

Frequently asked questions

Does Steven Smith offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Steven Smith works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Steven Smith speak?

Steven Smith speaks English.

How many years of experience does Steven Smith have?

Steven Smith has 7 years of experience.

Where is Steven Smith licensed to practice?

Steven Smith is licensed to practice in California.

Does Steven Smith accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Steven Smith does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Steven Smith offer?

Steven Smith offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

How can I communicate with Steven Smith?

Steven Smith can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Steven Smith?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.