Therapist profile
Rena Smith, LCSW
Louisiana
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Stress and Addictions
Continue with RenaWhere Rena stands
- Credentials
- LCSW
- License
- LCSW, Louisiana / 5663
- NPI
- 1851586663
- Experience
- 23 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Louisiana
About
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
About Rena
Rena Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Louisiana with 23 years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, and related concerns including grief and career strain.
She uses clear, practical talk in sessions and treats clients as the experts on their own lives. Rena helps people notice what matters to them, name patterns that cause pain, and test small changes that make life more manageable. She avoids jargon and aims for straightforward steps rather than long lectures.
Her background includes long-term work with people coping with substance use and the fallout of difficult relationships. She commonly supports those dealing with family-of-origin issues, divorce and separation, and the emotional effects of betrayal or loss. Codependency and dependent or avoidant personality patterns are among the patterns she addresses in sessions.
Rena draws on several evidence-based approaches to shape work in the room. She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to change unhelpful thinking and behavior, and Motivational Interviewing to bolster readiness for change. Solution-Focused and Client-Centered work help keep sessions practical and person-directed.
Clients can expect a collaborative style where goals are set together. Sessions aim to build skills for coping with life changes, reducing overwhelm, and handling conflict more directly. Rena also supports people facing complicated feelings like guilt, shame, or isolation.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Rena often draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which focuses on identifying personal values and taking small committed steps that align with those values. ACT can help with anxiety, codependent patterns, and coping with life changes by emphasizing actions over perfect feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to spot and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors with clear exercises and homework. CBT is useful for anxiety, anger, compulsive behaviors, and mood fluctuations. Motivational Interviewing helps people who feel stuck or unsure about change by exploring ambivalence and strengthening motivation in short, practical conversations.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss options and adapt methods based on a client's goals, preferences, and how they respond in early sessions. That way the plan stays workable and realistic rather than prescribed.
Confirm the current session formats before booking, as this biography does not list specific delivery methods. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and remove the need to travel. Licensed professionals can use these formats to keep momentum between sessions and to practice new skills in everyday life.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Listed in
Louisiana
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship struggles, trauma and abuse, grief, and related issues such as codependency and family of origin problems.
What is her therapy style like?
She practices in a practical, person-directed way using techniques from ACT, CBT, and motivational interviewing to set goals and try small changes.
How much experience does she bring?
She has 23 years of professional experience working with people facing addiction, relationship harm, and stress-related concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Louisiana.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does cost and subscription work?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.