PuttingFamilyFirst

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BS Portrait of Brett Smith
Online therapist

Brett Smith

Calm, direct support for family stress

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Credentials
LMFT
Experience
22 years
Licensed in
California
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Brett

Brett Smith is a licensed marriage and family therapist who helps people facing stress, anxiety, trauma, relationship troubles, and issues around parenting and family life. He welcomes conversations about depression, self-esteem, addiction, grief, intimacy, sleep and eating concerns, ADHD, and challenges that come with major life changes.

Brett brings a straightforward, plainspoken approach so parents can quickly tell if a plan feels right for their family. Brett draws on 22 years of experience in counseling and crisis work.

Background and approach

He is a California licensed marriage and family therapist - LMFT. Before becoming a therapist he served in the military and worked in law enforcement, experiences that shaped his understanding of trauma and first responder stress. In sessions he tends to be direct and practical.

He commonly uses dialectical behavior therapy to teach emotion regulation and coping skills, but will adapt methods when a situation calls for a different tool. He also brings techniques from cognitive behavioral work and mindfulness to help change unhelpful thinking and build better daily habits.

Brett has post-graduate training in hypnotherapy and incorporates Ericksonian and transformational hypnotherapy concepts when they fit a client's goals. His background doing emergency psychiatric assessments also sharpened his diagnostic and crisis-management skills. Outside of practice he and his wife enjoy sailing, backpacking, and training dogs.

He shares educational videos on his YouTube channel for clients who want to learn outside of sessions.

How Brett Uses Evidence-Based Methods Online

Brett commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in online work. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce anxiety and depression and improve daily routines. DBT teaches practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving communication, and coping with stress.

He may also draw on hypnotherapy techniques when appropriate, using Ericksonian and transformational approaches to support shifts in habit, focus, or motivation. Choosing an approach is collaborative - the therapist will help weigh options and adjust methods based on a client's needs, goals, and personal preferences.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy family schedules and to keep continuity during life changes. Many clients find the flexibility helps them practice skills more consistently and stay engaged with therapy over time.

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.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Mindfulness Therapy

Attention training: noticing thoughts and physical feelings as they arrive without being carried off by them. Much of it is practice you do yourself, so guidance over video or audio works much as it would in person.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Brett address?
Brett works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, and many relationship and family-related concerns. He also supports issues like parenting, intimacy, grief, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He uses a direct, practical style that focuses on skills and real-world changes. Brett often emphasizes emotion regulation and concrete techniques people can use between sessions.
What training and experience does he bring?
He has 22 years in the counseling field and professional experience in crisis assessment. His background includes military service and law enforcement, which informs his work with trauma and first responder issues.
What credentials and location information apply?
Brett is a California licensed marriage and family therapist, CA LMFT 46410, and practices from California.
Which languages are supported and are international clients possible?
Sessions are offered in English. He does accept international clients.
In what session formats can someone meet with him?
He meets with clients using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility in how people connect.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
22 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English

Next step

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