PuttingFamilyFirst

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DS Portrait of Dora Smith
Online therapist

Dora Smith

Compassionate counselor for life transitions

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Credentials
LPC
Experience
9 years
Licensed in
Virginia, South Carolina
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Dora

Dora Smith is a licensed professional counselor who works with adults dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and addiction. She writes plainly and listens closely, helping people name what is hardest and choose practical next steps. Her first aim is to make sessions feel manageable for a parent reading on a phone - clear, calm, and focused on real-life problems.

She relies on methods that help people change unhelpful thoughts and build new skills.

Background and approach

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a core tool she uses to spot patterns and try small experiments. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, helps people learn emotion regulation and stronger coping skills when feelings feel overwhelming. Dora also draws on client-centered therapy to create a respectful, person-focused space.

Motivational Interviewing is used when someone feels stuck and needs help finding reasons to change. Mindfulness practices are woven in to strengthen attention and reduce reactivity. She holds an LPC credential and has nine years of clinical experience.

Her license details include SC LPC 9628 and VA LPC 0701012259. Dora practices from Virginia and offers multiple ways to meet so therapy can fit a busy life. Her background blends practical skill-building with attention to personal values.

Sessions typically include clear goals, simple home practice, and ongoing review so progress stays tied to everyday life.

Approaches that translate to online care

Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and respect, focusing sessions on what matters most to the client and helping them set their own goals. This approach can make online meetings feel more personal and tailored even when time is limited.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches practical ways to spot unhelpful thoughts and try small, real-world experiments to change them. It works well for anxiety, depression, and stress because homework and structured steps fit neatly into video or messaging formats.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, offers concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and better interpersonal effectiveness. Those skills can be practiced between sessions and reviewed during calls or written check-ins to reinforce progress.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk through options, try things out, and adjust methods based on the client's goals and preferences. That shared decision making helps make online work feel purposeful and focused.

Online therapy provides flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats allow sessions to fit around work, caregiving, and other responsibilities and make it easier to maintain steady momentum with short check-ins or full sessions as needed.

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?
Dora focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, self-esteem, relationship concerns, and coping with life changes. She also works with issues like body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and attachment difficulties.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is straightforward and supportive, mixing skill-building with empathetic listening. She uses structured techniques alongside a person-centered approach to keep sessions practical and relevant.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has nine years of experience working as a licensed counselor. That background informs her use of evidence-based techniques and practical coping strategies.
What credentials and region are listed?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor - LPC - with licenses SC LPC 9628 and VA LPC 0701012259, practicing from Virginia.
Which languages and international clients are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
In what session formats can I meet with her?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How are costs handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are required to begin?
To begin, select 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
9 years
Licensed
Virginia, South Carolina
Languages
English

Next step

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