IFSTherapists

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LMFT

Steven Smith, LMFT

  • Experience10 years
  • LocationCalifornia
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Relationship, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Steven

Steven Smith is an LMFT based in California who helps people manage stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, mood concerns such as bipolar and depression, addictions, and a wide range of intimacy and family issues.

Background and approach

He brings ten years of clinical experience to work that centers on collaboration and practical growth, supporting clients through grief, parenting struggles, anger, self-esteem difficulties, ADHD-related concerns, and complex co-occurring problems. He draws on Internal Family Systems alongside client-centered and existential approaches to create a thoughtful, person-focused process.

Sessions emphasize listening, clarifying values, and setting goals that match each person’s priorities rather than imposing change. Steven also integrates relationship-informed methods such as elements of the Gottman Method and mindfulness-based practices where they fit the client’s needs.

Steven earned graduate training in clinical psychology and approaches therapy as a partnership aimed at increasing life satisfaction and coping skills. He offers video, phone, chat, and text-based session options and works in English for people located in California.

Therapeutic approaches adapted for online work

Internal Family Systems (IFS) explores the different parts inside a person and encourages compassionate, curious dialogue with those parts to reduce internal conflict and heal from trauma. It is often useful for people who feel overwhelmed by conflicting impulses, dissociation, or persistent self-criticism.

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the therapist follows the client's lead, reflects understanding, and helps the person identify their own goals and values. This approach supports change through acceptance, empathy, and practical goal-setting.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey and often evolves over time. Steven works collaboratively with clients to choose which methods fit their goals and preferences, and he adapts techniques from different models to suit each person’s concerns and pace.

Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging makes it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to continue work from home or other convenient places. These options increase flexibility for people balancing work, family, or mobility considerations while maintaining consistent access to a licensed professional who can guide treatment and skill-building.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Steven commonly address?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, addictions, grief, intimacy issues, parenting and a range of related concerns listed in his specialties.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He uses a collaborative, client-centered stance combined with existential ideas and mindfulness to help clients clarify values and set personal goals rather than imposing solutions.
How long has he been practicing?
He has ten years of clinical experience working with diverse clients across a variety of presenting concerns.
Where is he licensed and practicing?
He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, CA LMFT 124809, and practices with clients located in that state.
Which languages and international clients are supported?
Services are offered in English, and he is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
He provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin working together?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Avoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomania

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyExistential TherapyGottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English