PuttingFamilyFirst

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CS Portrait of Cynthia Smith
Online therapist

Cynthia Smith

Support for parents and adults

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

About Cynthia

Cynthia Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who helps people facing anxiety, depression, grief, parenting strain, relationship concerns, and LGBT-related issues. She speaks plainly and focuses on practical steps people can take now. Her approach aims to make difficult conversations easier for parents and adults under stress.

With 15 years of clinical experience, Cynthia blends straightforward listening with structured tools. She leans on Client-Centered methods to make space for each person's story.

Background and approach

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify patterns that keep people stuck and to build new habits. Cynthia draws on work across independent practice, community mental health, and case management. That background helps her connect people to useful resources and realistic next steps.

She often supports people coping with aging parents, caregiving stress, chronic illness, and end-of-life concerns. Sessions aim to be collaborative and practical. Cynthia works with clients to set achievable goals and try small changes between meetings.

She offers ways to handle sleep problems, low self-esteem, life transitions, and career uncertainty. Her style is steady and nonjudgmental. Cynthia helps clients examine painful feelings like guilt, shame, or isolation while also developing day-to-day coping skills.

She encourages parents and individuals to find clearer boundaries, calmer routines, and a stronger sense of direction.

Approaches and how they fit into online work

Cynthia uses a mix of Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her online practice. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening without judgment and letting clients lead the conversation, which helps when people need a calm place to sort feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify thought and behavior patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, or sleep problems and offers concrete strategies to change them.

She believes finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Together with clients she reviews goals, preferences, and which methods feel most helpful. That partnership guides whether sessions emphasize listening, skill-building, or a combination of both.

Online therapy gives practical flexibility for busy parents and adults managing caregiving or work. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when a deeper connection is useful. Phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging make it easier to fit therapy into a tight schedule or to check in between appointments. These options help people access ongoing support without rearranging their whole day.

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.

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.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Attends to the emotions underneath a recurring argument or distance, and to the attachment needs driving them. Often used where a relationship keeps returning to the same painful loop.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Cynthia commonly address?
She supports people with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting stress, relationship issues, LGBT concerns, trauma and abuse, and caregiving strain, among other areas.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is steady and nonjudgmental, combining attentive listening with practical steps. She focuses on clear goals and small changes clients can try between sessions.
What background informs her practice?
Cynthia has 15 years of clinical experience and has worked in independent practice, community mental health, and case management, which guides her resource-focused approach.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the credential PA LPC PC005964 and practices from Pennsylvania.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats does she offer?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as ways to connect with clients.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on therapist availability.

Next step

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