Lisa Smith, LMFT

Therapist in California

Calm, practical therapy for family and loss

Continue with Lisa Review online therapy options on BetterHelp.

Family concerns
Trauma and grief
Goal oriented

About Lisa

Lisa Smith is a licensed marriage and family therapist who helps people facing family conflict, trauma, grief, and depression. She speaks plainly and offers a steady, respectful presence for people who feel overwhelmed or stuck. Her approach aims to make starting therapy feel manageable and straightforward for someone under stress.

Lisa focuses on practical conversation and clear goals. She listens first to understand what matters most to each person. Then she works together with clients to shape simple steps they can use between sessions. This includes addressing issues like attachment concerns, abandonment, adoption and foster care questions, and workplace strain.

Over five years as an LMFT she has worked with people affected by post-traumatic stress and by losses from grief. She also brings attention to multicultural factors and women's issues when relevant to a client's situation. Therapy sessions aim to help people notice what helps them feel safer and more able to move forward.

Her style draws on client-centered and solution-focused ideas along with trauma-focused methods. That mix lets her match conversation and exercises to what a person needs in the moment. She emphasizes collaboration, steady pacing, and clear next steps.

To begin, she asks people to describe their priorities and what they hope to change. From there she and each client decide on a practical plan that fits their life and goals.

This summary is based on the profile information listed on BetterHelp.

How her approaches guide online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the client's own experience and values. The therapist offers a listening, nonjudgmental stance and follows what the person says matters most, which can help when dealing with depression, grief, or family stress.

Solution-Focused Therapy centers on small, concrete steps toward a client's goals. It emphasizes strengths and practical changes that can be tried between sessions, making it useful for people who want clear, short-term goals.

Trauma-Focused Therapy addresses the effects of traumatic events with attention to safety and pacing. This approach helps people who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or post-traumatic stress by working at a pace that feels manageable.

Finding the right approach is often part of the first few sessions. The therapist will work collaboratively to identify what methods fit a person's needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts the mix of conversation and exercises based on feedback from the client.

Session formats and scheduling options are not specified here, so confirm the current session choices before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people use telephone or lower-bandwidth options if video is difficult, but check available formats with the therapist before scheduling.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Lisa help with?

She helps people with family problems, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and depression. Additional concerns include abandonment, adoption and foster care, attachment issues, multicultural concerns, women's issues, post-traumatic stress, and workplace issues.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is collaborative and straightforward. She listens closely, centers the client's goals, and uses practical steps that clients can try between sessions.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has five years of experience working as a clinician and uses that background to support people through trauma, grief, family conflict, and depression.

What credential does she hold and where is she based?

She is an LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - practicing in California.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I start working with her?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist's availability.

Therapists on BetterHelp do not prescribe medication. A doctor can talk with you about medical options. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988; in an emergency, call 911.