Lori Smith, LPC

Lori Smith, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor practicing in Virginia with 27 years of experience supporting women through life transitions, relationship challenges, parenting questions, and anxiety. As an LPC - a credential that signifies specialized training and licensure in professional counseling - she focuses her work on adults in their mid-20s to mid-40s and offers guidance around stress, career concerns, self-esteem, grief, compassion fatigue, ADHD, and family dynamics.

She does not work with men or couples and does not provide services for employee assistance program cases, substance abuse, depression, psychosis, or other more severe clinical conditions. Her practice centers on clients whose needs align with her specified specialties and scope of care.

Lori uses a four-pole hammock model to conceptualize wellbeing - body, mind, emotions, and spirit - and helps clients strengthen each pole so they can better manage the positive and negative weights in their lives. For the body she emphasizes basics like breathing practices, regular exercise to reduce cortisol and boost endorphins, sleep hygiene, and consideration of physical history or medications. For the mind she works to identify and challenge irrational or unhelpful thoughts, and integrates bibliotherapy, communication skills, and career development strategies. For emotions she supports learning how to express feelings, understanding how emotions shape perception, and cultivating positive peer groups and community connections. For spirit she invites exploration of spiritual growth when body, mind, and emotions feel depleted.

Her approach blends practical skills, reflective work, and coaching to help clients navigate life adjustments, parenting roles, relationship concerns, and career decisions. Lori aims to provide a steady, structured environment where clients can build resilience and clearer coping strategies tailored to their values and goals.

CBT and Skills-Based Support for Online Care

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a practical approach Lori uses to help clients notice and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. CBT focuses on identifying irrational or stressed thinking, testing those thoughts, and building concrete strategies to reduce anxiety, manage stress, and improve daily functioning.

Complementing CBT, Lori incorporates bibliotherapy and skills-based training - guided use of reading and targeted exercises to strengthen communication, career planning, and coping skills. These tools are helpful for clients who want structured, actionable steps to address relationship concerns, parenting challenges, or life transitions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Lori works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Lori is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules and varied comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities, and allow clients to engage with a licensed professional from locations within her practice area.