Michael Smith

Michael Smith is a licensed mental health counselor with 38 years of experience based in New York. He focuses on helping people manage mood problems, anxiety, stress, addiction, and issues related to identity and intimacy. He also supports people dealing with neurodevelopmental conditions and intellectual disability concerns. He uses clear, practical methods to help people cope with everyday challenges. Sessions often include developing concrete skills for mood and anxiety management. He emphasizes listening first, then tailoring techniques that fit each person's situation. His work draws on several therapeutic approaches. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to identify unhelpful thinking and change behaviors. Client-Centered Therapy places the person's experience at the center and encourages self-directed growth. Mindfulness techniques help people notice difficult feelings without becoming overwhelmed. Michael combines structure with a compassionate stance. He helps clients build coping strategies for stress, anger, and life transitions. He also addresses concerns such as addiction, sleep and eating problems, and relationship difficulties. Over nearly four decades he has worked with people facing complex mental health and developmental challenges. His practice aims to be straightforward and goal-oriented while remaining sensitive to each person’s pace. To begin, he asks people to pick a time, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on availability.

How his approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s experience and encourages self-directed growth through reflective listening and support. It helps people who need a space to make sense of feelings and set their own goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a hands-on method that looks at thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It helps with anxiety, depression, panic, and compulsive patterns by teaching concrete skills to challenge unhelpful thinking and try new actions. Mindfulness Therapy teaches gentle attention to present-moment experience. It can reduce reactivity to stress and provide simple practices to manage intense emotions. Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That choice can change over time as progress is made. Confirm available session options before booking, since formats are not listed in the biography. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work, caregiving, or travel. It can also allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, or avoid the need to commute for appointments.