Claudia Smith, LCSW - Therapist in California

About Claudia

Claudia Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 40 years of experience in California. She focuses on practical support for people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, low self-esteem, ADHD, and matters related to family and grief. Claudia works from a strengths-based viewpoint and treats each person as the expert on their own life.

She listens first and asks clear questions to understand what matters most. Then she helps clients set small, doable goals.

Background and approach

Sessions emphasize real skills and steps clients can try between meetings. Claudia aims to keep things straightforward and respectful. Her approach combines collaborative conversation with techniques drawn from evidence-based methods.

She uses Client-Centered Therapy to follow the client's lead and build trust. She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy - DBT - and mindfulness tools to teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills. Many people come to her wanting clearer direction or relief from persistent patterns.

Claudia helps untangle family-related stress and supports people working through loss, life transitions, or motivation problems. She offers coaching-style guidance when clients want focused goal work. Claudia provides care in English and accepts international clients.

She makes room for honest discussion about life purpose, relationships, substance concerns, and long-standing family issues. Her style is steady, practical, and centered on what the client wants to accomplish.

Practical approaches for online therapy and skill building

Claudia combines Client-Centered Therapy with Dialectical Behavior Therapy to shape online sessions that are both humane and skill-focused. Client-Centered Therapy means she listens first and follows the client's priorities, creating space to talk through whatever feels most urgent. DBT offers clear skills for handling intense emotions, reducing impulsive behaviors, and improving communication in stressful moments.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Claudia will talk with clients about goals and preferences and then suggest techniques to try. That process is collaborative - clients help choose which tools fit their life and which to adjust over time.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to connect from home, manage parenting or work demands, and keep momentum between sessions. The variety of session types supports flexible coaching and skills practice without requiring travel.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

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 kinds of concerns does she address?

Claudia works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, self-esteem, ADHD, bipolar concerns, grief, and family-related issues as listed in her profile.

What is her therapeutic style like?

She follows a collaborative, client-centered approach and teaches practical skills. Sessions blend listening with concrete tools to try between meetings.

How much experience does she have?

She has 40 years of professional work experience and brings long-term clinical perspective to common and complex concerns.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in California with license number CA LCSW 11171.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English and she accepts clients internationally.

What session formats are available?

She sees clients via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.

How are sessions priced?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are billed through a cancellable subscription.

How do I begin working with her?

To start, click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 40 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English

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