- Strengths focused
- Goal oriented
- Relationship informed
About Phyllis
Phyllis Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with five years of clinical experience. She works with individuals and couples on common problems like anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and life changes. Her style is practical and collaborative, focusing on clear goals and steady progress.
She centers sessions on each person's strengths to build resilience and restore hope. Phyllis asks about hopes, goals, and everyday challenges, then helps map small, doable steps toward those goals. She balances gentle challenge with empathy so clients can try new ways of thinking and behaving.
Her background includes work with a diverse range of people across differences in gender, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity. This experience informs how she adapts approaches to fit each person’s situation and values. She pays attention to relationship patterns and how life context shapes emotions and behavior.
Phyllis combines practical methods such as cognitive strategies and mindfulness with relationship-focused tools. She also draws on client-centered techniques to keep the work grounded in what matters to the client. This mix is applied to concerns like grief, trauma and abuse, addiction, parenting stress, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster.
Sessions are guided by client goals and may shift as needs change. Phyllis encourages straightforward conversation about what’s working and what isn’t, so progress can be tracked and adjusted over time.
Therapeutic approaches and how they work online
Client-centered work focuses on listening and responding to what matters most to the client. The therapist follows the client’s lead, reflects concerns back, and helps people clarify goals and values. This approach helps when someone needs a supportive, nonjudgmental place to sort out feelings and priorities.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It breaks problems into manageable steps and teaches practical skills for coping with anxiety, depression, and stress. Mindfulness therapy adds simple practices that increase present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity to difficult emotions.
Choosing an approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk with each person about needs and preferences and try methods that fit those goals. Adjustments are made as progress and feedback come in so the plan stays useful and relevant.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and offer options for people who prefer not to be on camera. Licensed professionals use these formats to help clients practice skills in real-world settings and to keep momentum between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Credentials
North Carolina
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Phyllis help with?
She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, grief, trauma and abuse, addiction, and coping with life changes including coping with natural or human-caused disaster.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is collaborative and strengths based. She works with clients to set clear goals and uses practical steps to build resilience and change unhelpful patterns.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has five years of experience working with a diverse range of people and relationship situations.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, licensed in North Carolina.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.