- Addictions
- Anxiety and depression
- CBT and DBT methods
About Kristen
Kristen Smith is a Florida LMHC with 27 years of counseling experience. She works with adults facing addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, and other stresses common in early adulthood.
Kristen frames clients as experts on their own stories and looks for strengths to build on. She focuses on practical steps people can use day to day. Sessions aim to make problem-solving straightforward rather than technical.
Her work covers a wide range of issues that often overlap in young adulthood. That includes career questions, struggling with identity, ADHD, grief, sleep and eating concerns, and the strain of caregiving. She also supports people dealing with abandonment, family of origin issues, and divorce or separation.
Therapeutic methods include Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). In practice this means listening, helping people test out different thoughts and behaviors, and teaching skills for managing strong emotions and relationships.
Kristen uses plain language in sessions and helps people set realistic steps between appointments. She encourages small, repeatable changes that fit into work, school, and social life. To begin, she asks clients to describe current struggles and short-term goals so a practical plan can be made.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what the client brings. It helps people feel understood and clarifies their own goals and values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and gives concrete exercises to test new ways of thinking and behaving. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches specific skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving relationships.Finding the right approach is part of the process. Kristen will review your needs, goals, and preferences and then collaborate with you to try methods that fit your life. That may mean using CBT worksheets for a few weeks, practicing DBT skills for intense emotions, or keeping the session focused on what you say matters most.
Session formats are not listed here, so confirm the current options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into work, school, or busy schedules. They can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let someone join without rearranging an entire day. Licensed professionals can adapt tools and exercises used in person so they work over a distance, while still keeping the focus on practical skills you can use between sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
27+ years
Listed in
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, career strain, and related concerns listed in her specialties.
What is her therapy style like?
She uses a practical, strengths-based approach that centers the client's experience and focuses on clear, usable steps between sessions.
How much experience does she have?
Kristen has 27 years of professional experience in counseling and related work.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMHC licensed in Florida and practices from that state.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the profile does not list specific formats.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started if I want a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your 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.