Profile / United States
Vanessa Smith, LPC, LCSW
Louisiana
Licensed counselor - anxiety and addictions
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Client-Centered approach
- Motivational Interviewing
About Vanessa
Vanessa Smith LPC, LCSW is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Louisiana with six years of documented experience. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, low self-esteem, depression, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue.
She uses a straightforward, interactive approach. Sessions focus on what is happening now and on practical steps a person can try between meetings. Vanessa leans on client-centered listening so people lead the conversation about their goals and priorities.
Her background brings together several therapy methods. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify unhelpful thoughts and habits and replace them with more useful options. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adds skills for managing strong emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness. Motivational Interviewing supports people who want to change behaviors, including drug and alcohol use.
Vanessa pays attention to everyday pressures like job loss, family stress, and returning to community after incarceration. She works with people on concrete problems such as parenting strain, grief after a death, or managing mood swings related to bipolar conditions.
In sessions she helps set small, measurable goals and practices skills during the work together. People can expect clear suggestions, role-play when helpful, and short action steps to try between sessions. The focus is on practical progress and clearer choices moving forward.
How CBT, DBT and client-centered work online
Vanessa commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in practical ways. CBT focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new responses. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and habit change. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the person’s perspective and guides conversations based on what matters most to them. DBT teaches skills for handling intense emotions and improving relationships, which can help with impulsive behaviors and self-regulation.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. She will work with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That might mean trying CBT techniques for thought patterns first, then adding DBT skills for emotional control, or keeping sessions largely client-centered to clarify priorities.
The practical benefits of online sessions include fitting meetings into a busy week and lowering travel time so people can attend more consistently. The profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to practice skills between meetings and to check progress with shorter follow-ups when needed.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
6+ years
Listed in
Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and family issues, substance use, parenting challenges, trauma and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is interactive and client-centered. Sessions focus on listening first and then trying practical steps together.
What is her professional background?
She holds both LPC and LCSW credentials and has six years of documented experience in mental health practice.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is licensed in Texas as an LPC and LCSW and is practicing in Louisiana according to the profile details.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.