Brett Smith, LMFT

Brett Smith is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in California who brings both clinical training and lived experience to his work. A combat veteran and former law enforcement officer, he understands trauma from multiple angles and has dedicated much of his career to helping people manage the long-term effects of traumatic events. With 22 years of experience in the counseling field, he has developed particular expertise in trauma treatment, personality disorders, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and a broad range of life challenges including addiction, grief, and parenting concerns.

His therapeutic style is direct and pragmatic, with an emphasis on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) while remaining flexible to shift approaches when a client’s needs call for it. He has completed post-graduate work in hypnotherapy and is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist who uses Ericksonian and transformational techniques as part of his toolkit. Work in hospital emergency departments conducting psychiatric assessments has sharpened his diagnostic skills and enriched his ability to manage crisis situations.

Outside of practice he and his wife enjoy sailing their sailboat with plans to live aboard and travel, as well as backpacking, kayaking, and training dogs. He also shares educational videos through his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@bashleys. Brett welcomes conversations about how therapy can move life from ordeal toward the fuller adventure clients seek.

Approaches for Online Healing and Growth

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on building practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and tolerating distress. It suits people who struggle with emotional regulation, self-destructive behaviors, or relationship instability and offers concrete tools to change patterns that cause suffering.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is a structured, goal-oriented approach often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and many day-to-day challenges where changing thinking patterns can improve mood and functioning.

Hypnotherapy, including Ericksonian and transformational techniques, uses guided focus and suggestion to access resources for change. It can complement talk-based therapies by helping clients alter habits, reduce reactivity, and strengthen internal motivation for recovery.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Brett works collaboratively with each person to select and adapt methods that fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, adjusting course as progress unfolds.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging makes it easier to access consistent care across distances and schedules. These options provide flexibility for busy lives, support continuity during transitions, and allow licensed professionals to offer effective, session-by-session work in formats that suit individual needs.