Athina Smalios, LCSW - Therapist in Florida

About Athina

Athina Smalios is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, mood concerns, and problems with self-esteem. She also supports those coping with parenting pressures, relationship conflicts, workplace stress, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Her style is down-to-earth and practical.

She listens first and helps clients find workable steps forward. Athina uses tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thinking and change patterns that feed anxiety or depression.

Background and approach

She brings Motivational Interviewing to conversations about change, helping people notice their own reasons to act. Solution-Focused Therapy guides short-term planning so clients leave with small, achievable goals. Sessions aim to build clear skills for everyday life.

That might include simple behavior experiments, communication practices, or pacing strategies to reduce overwhelm. Athina explains techniques in plain language and practices them together with clients during sessions. Her approach is collaborative rather than prescriptive.

She helps clients weigh options, set realistic goals, and try things that fit their routine. Progress is tracked in small steps so people can see what works. Based in Florida, Athina holds the Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential - LCSW - and combines practical methods with a calm, supportive presence.

She offers multiple online formats to make care accessible for varied schedules.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Athina uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients notice thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going, then practices small experiments to change them. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related patterns.

She also draws on Motivational Interviewing to support readiness for change. That approach focuses on conversations that clarify personal goals and build motivation without pressure. It can help with managing difficult habits, improving self-care, or navigating life transitions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Athina collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adjusts tools over time based on what is helpful in practice.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy days and to practice skills between sessions. The variety of formats supports different comfort levels and provides flexible ways to stay engaged with therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Motivational Interviewing

A way of working through mixed feelings about change without being pushed. The therapist helps you weigh things up and find your own reasons, which often makes a difficult decision feel less stuck.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Rather than examining the problem at length, this looks at what is already working and builds on it. Sessions tend to be practical and forward-looking, with small achievable steps, which translates readily to shorter online conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she help with?

Athina works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, self esteem, relationship and family issues, parenting, bipolar and depression, and coping with life changes. She also focuses on ADHD, compassion fatigue, and related areas listed in her specialty list.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is compassionate and collaborative. She listens first, then helps clients set small practical goals and practices skills together in sessions.

What is her professional background?

She has 20 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of emotional and life challenges. That background informs a practical, skills-based approach.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is an LCSW, listed as FL LCSW SW9066, and practices from Florida.

Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?

Sessions are offered in English. She does not accept international clients at this time.

Which session formats are available?

Therapy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How is cost handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin work together?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire, then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 20 years
Licensed: Florida
Languages: English

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