Steven Smith, LMFT

Steven Smith is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) practicing in California who brings a collaborative, person-focused approach to work with individuals and couples. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, and over the course of a decade of practice he has supported people from a wide range of backgrounds and life circumstances. He works with clients of varying ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and socioeconomic status, helping them address concerns such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and PTSD, relationship difficulties, and related struggles.

Steven’s style is grounded in client-centered and existential approaches - he prioritizes listening, clarifying what matters to each person, and helping clients define their own goals. Rather than trying to “fix” someone, he aims to accompany people as they build strategies to reduce overwhelm, manage symptoms, and move toward greater life satisfaction. He collaborates with clients to set achievable goals, adapts interventions to individual needs, and supports both short-term problem solving and longer-term personal growth.

Practicing as an LMFT means Steven specializes in treating relational and family dynamics as well as individual concerns, integrating clinical training with practical experience to tailor care to each person or couple. He offers a thoughtful, respectful space for people ready to explore change and build skills for coping with life’s challenges.

Therapeutic Approaches Suited for Online Care

Steven integrates client-centered therapy, which emphasizes listening to each person’s priorities and working from their own goals to guide sessions. This approach helps people who want a respectful, nonjudgmental space to explore feelings and make practical changes. He also uses existential therapy, which invites clients to examine meaning, choice, and responsibility in their lives and can be useful for those facing major life transitions or questions about purpose. For couples, Steven draws on the Gottman Method, a research-informed approach that focuses on improving communication, managing conflict, and strengthening connection through concrete skills.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Steven works collaboratively with each client to determine which methods fit best with their needs, goals, and preferences. He adapts techniques over time so therapy remains relevant and effective for the individual or couple.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - provide practical flexibility for scheduling and for attending from home or another convenient location. These formats make it easier to maintain consistent appointments, to access care across different life demands, and to continue therapy when travel or busy schedules might otherwise get in the way. Licensed professionals can use these options to deliver the same therapeutic approaches they apply in person, tailored to each client’s situation.