PuttingFamilyFirst

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AS Portrait of Dr. Avis Smith
Online therapist

Dr. Avis Smith

Compassionate, goal-focused counseling for real life

Credentials
LPC
Experience
15 years
Licensed in
Texas
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Avis

Dr. Avis Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 15 years of experience in the mental health field. She trained through a doctoral program at Texas Southern University and holds a master’s degree from the University of Houston-Victoria and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston.

Based in Texas, she draws on a range of settings experience including educational, outpatient, residential, and in-home work. Her background supports a practical, goal-focused way of working with concerns related to family and parenting among other stressors.

Background and approach

Dr. Smith prefers straightforward, supportive sessions. She focuses on what can be done now, and works with people to set small, achievable goals.

Her style is warm and collaborative, aiming to make each person comfortable while they address difficult topics. She often uses Solution-Focused Therapy to keep momentum toward concrete change. During a typical meeting she listens for strengths and past successes, then helps clients build simple steps to reach their goals.

Sessions may include communication practice, short-term problem solving, and steps to reduce day-to-day stress. She emphasizes practical progress rather than long lists of tasks. Her interests include stress, anxiety, relationships, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.

Additional focus areas include attachment issues, blended family issues, communication problems, and women's issues. Dr. Smith also addresses concerns like compassion fatigue, career shifts, and intimacy-related matters.

People who prefer clear goals and a forward-looking plan may find her approach helpful. She partners with clients to set realistic targets and tracks small improvements over time. The work is focused, accessible, and tailored to individual needs.

How solution-focused work adapts to online therapy

Solution-Focused Therapy centers on small, practical steps toward change and emphasizes the client’s strengths and past successes. It pays attention to what already works and builds brief, doable actions to move toward specific goals. This approach suits issues like stress, communication problems, relationship concerns, and navigating life changes.

Online sessions let Dr. Smith use the same short-term, goal-driven process as in-person work. The two of you will collaborate to pick strategies that fit your daily life and priorities. She will help you decide which methods to try and adjust them based on how they work for you, so approach and pace are chosen together.

Practical benefits of online therapy include flexible scheduling and multiple ways to meet. Options include video calls for face-to-face conversation, phone sessions when video is not possible, and live chat or text-based messaging for brief check-ins or organizing next steps. These formats make it easier to keep continuity when life is busy and to apply changes in real time.

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 address?
She works with a range of issues including stress, anxiety, relationships, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. Family and parenting matters are also part of her focus.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her approach is supportive and goal-oriented. She uses Solution-Focused Therapy to build short-term goals and practical steps clients can try between sessions.
What is her experience background?
She has 15 years of experience in the mental health field and has worked in educational, outpatient, residential, and in-home settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds the LPC credential and is licensed in Texas with license number TX LPC 68239.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as ways to connect.
How are costs and scheduling handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire, then schedule based on availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
15 years
Licensed
Texas
Languages
English

Next step

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