- Strengths focused
- Practical coping skills
- Bilingual English Spanish
About Cathy
Cathy Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 18 years of experience. She blends listening with practical strategies to help people work through anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, and the stress that follows major life changes. Cathy draws on straightforward, everyday conversation to help clients name problems and find next steps.
She began her career after college working in a residential treatment home for youth, then taught in public and alternative settings while earning a master’s in Special Education. Later she completed a master’s in Counseling Psychology and moved into clinical practice. That mix of classroom, residential, and clinical experience shapes how she works with people now.
Cathy uses approaches such as client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, solution-focused strategies, and psychodynamic ideas. She picks tools based on what each person wants to achieve, and focuses on building strengths clients already have. Sessions tend to be conversational and goal-directed, with practical homework when it fits.
Her practice includes support for trauma and abuse, coping with natural or human-caused disaster, addiction concerns, compassion fatigue, first responder issues, and a range of mood and stress-related problems. Cathy also helps with parenting strain, caregiver stress, body image, and identity concerns for LGBT people.
She speaks English and Spanish and works with people across a wide adult age range. Cathy practices in Michigan and accepts international clients; prospective clients should confirm session options before scheduling.
How her approaches shape online therapy
Client-centered work focuses on listening and following the client's lead, helping people feel heard and understood while identifying goals to work toward. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thinking and behavior, teaching practical skills to manage anxiety, mood, and sleep problems. Mindfulness therapy encourages paying attention to the present moment and can help with stress, rumination, and coping after trauma.Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they choose techniques and set short-term goals, adjusting the plan as progress is made.
Practical benefits of online work include fitting sessions into a busy schedule and keeping continuity when life is disrupted. Online care can make it easier to keep regular check-ins, try brief coaching-style sessions, or use guided mindfulness practices without travel time. Because session formats are not specified here, confirm current options before booking so the format matches your needs and daily routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
18+ years
Credentials
Michigan
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Cathy address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, addictions, and many life changes.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is conversational and client-centered, mixing practical techniques and listening to find useful next steps.
How long has she practiced counseling?
She has 18 years of experience that include residential youth work, classroom teaching, and clinical counseling.
Where is she based and what are her credentials?
She practices in Michigan and holds the credential LPC, which stands for Licensed Professional Counselor.
Which languages can sessions be held in?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish, and she also accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified here; please confirm the current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and 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.