- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship work
- Mindfulness and ACT
About Frederick
Dr. Frederick Smoot is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with five years of professional experience. He works with adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, depression, addiction, grief, intimacy difficulties, and life changes. He also lists focus areas like attachment and abandonment issues, caregiver stress, and communication problems.
Smoot uses a relational, client-centered style in sessions. He listens closely, asks direct questions, and helps people set practical goals. He combines methods such as acceptance and commitment techniques, cognitive behavioral ideas, mindfulness practices, and elements of the Gottman Method to support relationship work.
Sessions aim to address real-life problems in everyday language. Smoot helps people talk through what feels stuck, develop coping strategies, and test small changes between meetings. He works with issues like career transitions, parenting strain, substance concerns, and feelings of emptiness or shame.
He describes the therapeutic process as collaborative. Decisions about direction and goals are made together and adjusted as progress is tracked. People can expect straightforward feedback and a focus on what can change now.
Dr. Smoot notes that his work includes coaching-style conversations when helpful. He supports clients who want to improve communication, repair trust after infidelity, navigate divorce or blended family challenges, or prepare for end-of-life and hospice-related concerns. Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
How his approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then take actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and feeling aimless. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers concrete tools to test and change unhelpful patterns. That approach often helps with stress, anxiety, and addiction. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve focus; it pairs well with ACT and CBT for emotional regulation.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will review goals and preferences in early sessions and suggest which methods to emphasize. That decision is collaborative and can shift as progress is tracked.
The original profile does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week, reduce commute time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules demand. They also let people practice communication and emotion skills between work, school, or caregiving responsibilities. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and mindfulness exercises to a remote format while keeping sessions active and goal-focused.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family issues, addiction, grief, intimacy problems, career changes, and related areas like attachment or abandonment.
What is his therapeutic style like?
The approach is relational and client-centered with direct, practical guidance. He uses listening, questions, and goal-setting to help clients make changes.
How much experience does he have?
He has five years of experience as an LMFT practicing in California.
What credential and location are listed?
He is an LMFT licensed in California and practices from that state.
Can people outside the US work with him?
Yes. Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not specify session formats. Confirm current session options before booking.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and services. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.