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- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Hypnotherapy techniques
- Trauma and personality issues
About Brett
Brett Smith, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 22 years of clinical experience. He helps people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, self-esteem, sleep and eating issues, parenting stress, and ADHD. He describes his style as direct and pragmatic and says he commonly uses dialectical behavior therapy and other approaches when needed.
Smith is a combat veteran and a former law enforcement officer. He came to this work after addressing his own PTSD and has since focused much of his practice on trauma and personality disorder presentations. That background informs how he assesses and responds to crisis and complex symptoms.
He combines several clinical approaches in sessions, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, hypnotherapy, Jungian therapy, and mindfulness methods. He notes post-graduate training in hypnotherapy and experience conducting emergency psychiatric assessments in hospital settings.
Clients can expect straightforward feedback and practical tools aimed at symptom reduction and improved functioning. Sessions may include skills training, behavior-focused strategies, and reflective work on underlying patterns and family of origin issues.
Smith also lists additional focus areas such as abandonment issues, body image, codependency, sexual minority concerns, BDSM and kink culture, infidelity, first responder and veteran issues, and mood disorders. He offers services in English and accepts international clients. He practices in California and holds the credential LMFT.
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Therapeutic approaches and working online
Smith frequently uses dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in his work. DBT focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can help with intense emotions, self-harm urges, and relationship problems. CBT targets patterns of thought and behavior to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and to change unhelpful routines.He also brings hypnotherapy tools into sessions when appropriate. Hypnotherapy uses focused attention and suggestion to address habits, anxiety, and trauma-related reactions and may support changes in behavior and symptom reduction.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will collaborate with clients to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. Treatment plans can mix skills training, behavioral experiments, reflective exploration, and hypnotherapy techniques as needed.
The original biography does not list specific online session formats. Confirm the current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by removing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, and offering the option to avoid being on camera for some meetings. Licensed professionals can adapt DBT, CBT, and hypnotherapy techniques to remote work while focusing on practical skills and symptom management.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
22+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What issues does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, self-esteem, eating and sleeping problems, parenting strain, ADHD, and related concerns.
What is his therapeutic style?
He uses a direct, pragmatic style. He often applies dialectical behavior therapy and adapts methods when a situation calls for a different approach.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 22 years of experience in the counseling field, including work in emergency departments and extensive trauma-focused practice.
What credential and location are listed?
He is an LMFT licensed in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Confirm current session options before booking.
How does cost work?
Cost varies with location, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988.