- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship support
- Practical coping
About Marlene
Marlene Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, low self-esteem, and depression. She encourages clients to take the first step and seeks to make beginning therapy feel manageable and respectful.
She creates a calm space where people can share thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Sessions focus on understanding what is causing day-to-day strain and finding practical steps to feel more steady. Marlene aims to help clients build confidence and stronger coping habits over time.
Her approach draws on attachment-based ideas, client-centered listening, and cognitive behavioral tools. That means she pays attention to how relationships shape feelings, listens closely to each person’s experience, and uses straightforward strategies to reframe unhelpful thinking and behavior.
Marlene also works with issues tied to life transitions, adoption and foster care concerns, aging and geriatric issues, body image, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster. She addresses communication problems, commitment questions, and the emotional effects of separation and loss.
With three years of practice as an LPC in West Virginia, she brings a practical, down-to-earth style. Sessions are meant to be collaborative, with small goals that fit into daily life. If someone is nervous about starting, Marlene focuses on clear steps and steady support.
How these approaches guide online work
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how relationships shape emotions and trust. It can help people who feel stuck by old patterns of relating and who want clearer, safer ways to connect with others.Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding each person without judgment. That approach helps people feel heard while they figure out what changes they want to make.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) uses practical exercises to spot and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress management because it gives step-by-step techniques to practice between sessions.
Marlene treats finding the right approach as a team effort. She will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and adapt methods to fit those needs. Clients and therapist decide together which tools to use and how to pace the work.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, shorten travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals can guide pacing and homework in ways that fit everyday life without requiring long visits.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
3+ years
Credentials
West Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Marlene commonly address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, low self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes, plus related issues like body image, attachment concerns, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style blends attentive, client-centered listening with practical strategies from cognitive behavioral and attachment-informed work to address feelings and habits that get in the way.
What is her professional background?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with three years of experience working with people on mood, relationship, and stress-related concerns.
Where does she practice and what credential does she hold?
She practices in West Virginia and holds the LPC credential, listed as WV LPC.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.