Therapist profile
Steven Smith, LMFT
California
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - Relationships and Mood
Continue with StevenWhere Steven stands
- Credentials
- LMFT
- License
- LMFT, California / 124809
- NPI
- 1528439957
- Experience
- 10 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- California
About
- Client-centered focus
- Mindfulness tools
- Gottman communication
About Steven
Steven Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 10 years of experience. He works with individuals and couples and commonly helps people dealing with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and abuse, and relationship struggles. He sees people across different sexual orientations and backgrounds and speaks English.
Steven uses a client-centered and existential approach. He starts by listening to what matters most to the person in front of him. Together they set goals that feel doable rather than imposed. Sessions focus on practical steps to reduce feeling overwhelmed by symptoms and to make clearer choices in relationships and life.
He brings mindfulness and motivational interviewing into sessions when those tools fit the client's goals. Mindfulness work helps with noticing reactions and making calmer choices. Motivational interviewing helps when someone feels stuck or unsure about changing a pattern.
Steven also uses relational skills drawn from the Gottman Method to address communication and intimacy issues in partnerships. That work looks at small interaction patterns and helps people try different ways of speaking and listening. He treats addictions, codependency, and family-of-origin concerns alongside mood and stress problems.
His style is straightforward and goal-focused. He helps clients measure progress and adjust the plan as needed. To begin, someone completes the short matching questionnaire and schedules a first session to talk through current concerns and next steps.
How sessions work
Therapeutic approaches and online sessions
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and helping people name their own goals. It is about following what matters to the client and supporting self-directed change. Existential therapy looks at meaning, choice, and responsibility in life and helps people who feel stuck or overwhelmed by life transitions.Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention practices to notice thoughts and emotions without reacting automatically. That work can reduce reactivity in relationships and make it easier to practice new behaviors. The therapist will discuss which of these approaches best fit the person's situation and may combine elements to match goals.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Steven will work with the client to clarify goals and try methods that suit their preferences. If something does not feel useful, the plan is adjusted together so sessions stay focused and relevant.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. It also lets people practice communication skills where they live and then discuss how those experiments went in the next meeting.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, addictions, codependency, and related concerns.
How would he approach people-pleasing and boundary problems?
He uses a client-centered and existential approach to help people identify values and make choices that fit them. Sessions include practical steps and communication skill practice.
What experience does he bring?
He has 10 years of clinical experience working with individuals and couples from diverse backgrounds on mood, trauma, and relationship issues.
What are his credentials and where does he practice?
He is an LMFT licensed in California and practices in that state.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and he is not accepting international clients.
What formats are used for sessions?
The original biography does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the 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.