Kelly Smith, LCSW

Kelly Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with three decades of experience as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. They have supported people facing a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, and issues related to LGBTQ+ identity, as well as many who have experienced trauma. Kelly brings a warm, interactive, and engaging presence to therapy, prioritizing validation, respect, sensitivity, and compassion in every therapeutic relationship.

Kelly’s clinical work blends cognitive-behavioral techniques with humanistic, psychodynamic, and family systems perspectives, allowing sessions to be tailored to each person’s needs. That blend of approaches helps address patterns of thought and behavior, explore relational and developmental factors, and consider family dynamics when relevant. Kelly emphasizes collaboration, shaping the dialogue and treatment plan around the client’s unique goals and situation.

Taking the step to seek therapy requires courage, and Kelly frames the work as a journey of empowerment. They aim to provide practical skills, supportive reflection, and a steady, nonjudgmental stance so clients can pursue a more fulfilling and resilient life. Kelly is based in Virginia and practices in English.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Kelly combines client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to provide practical, empathetic support. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, validation, and creating a respectful, nonjudgmental space so clients can explore their values and goals. CBT helps identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and many stress-related issues.

Kelly also integrates elements of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) when skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness are needed. DBT offers concrete tools to manage intense emotions and improve relationships, which can be helpful for mood instability, trauma recovery, and coping with life transitions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Kelly works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan over time as progress unfolds. Online therapy with Kelly is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which provides flexibility for scheduling and access from different locations. This range of formats makes it easier to fit therapy into a busy life while maintaining continuity of care.