Cathy Smith, LPC
Relationship-focused Licensed Professional Counselor
- Trauma and grief support
- Bilingual English and Spanish
- Strengths-based practical tools
About Cathy Smith
Cathy Smith built her interest in counseling while working in a residential treatment home for youth with emotional and mental health challenges after completing undergraduate degrees in Sociology with a focus on Criminology and Spanish. That early experience prompted a return to school, leading to a teaching certificate and a Masters degree in Special Education, and later a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and brings both classroom and clinical perspectives to her work.
After many years teaching in institutional, public, private, and alternative settings, she chose to focus more directly on listening and talking with individuals, which guided her shift into counseling full time. Cathy emphasizes the central role of relationship in effective therapy and attends closely to each person’s background - including ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, work life, and belief systems - while recognizing the importance of professional limits.
Her clinical work spans a wide age range, from children as young as four to older adults up to seventy-nine. She supports people facing depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, trauma, sexual and physical abuse, parenting difficulties, learning differences, and autism spectrum challenges. Cathy draws on a range of methods - including motivational interviewing, client-centered work, solution-focused strategies, psychoeducational techniques, mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - and uses a strengths-based approach to help clients build on their abilities and move toward healthier, more satisfying lives.
After many years teaching in institutional, public, private, and alternative settings, she chose to focus more directly on listening and talking with individuals, which guided her shift into counseling full time. Cathy emphasizes the central role of relationship in effective therapy and attends closely to each person’s background - including ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, work life, and belief systems - while recognizing the importance of professional limits.
Her clinical work spans a wide age range, from children as young as four to older adults up to seventy-nine. She supports people facing depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, trauma, sexual and physical abuse, parenting difficulties, learning differences, and autism spectrum challenges. Cathy draws on a range of methods - including motivational interviewing, client-centered work, solution-focused strategies, psychoeducational techniques, mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - and uses a strengths-based approach to help clients build on their abilities and move toward healthier, more satisfying lives.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDomestic violenceEmptinessFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSexual assault and abuseSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Cathy Smith have?
Cathy Smith has 18 years of experience.
Is Cathy Smith a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LPC which stands for Licensed Professional Counselor. License details: MI LPC 6401010540.
In which languages does Cathy Smith provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English and Spanish.
Where is Cathy Smith located?
Cathy Smith is located in Michigan.
How can I work with Cathy Smith as my therapist?
You can work with Cathy Smith through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Cathy Smith work with international clients?
Yes, Cathy Smith works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Cathy Smith cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Approaches That Guide Online Sessions
Cathy frequently uses Client-Centered Therapy, which emphasizes a warm, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist listens closely and helps clients explore their values and choices; this approach is useful for building trust and addressing relationship, identity, or life-transition issues.She also employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a practical method that helps people identify and shift unhelpful thought and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. CBT tends to be goal-oriented and skill-based, making it well suited to short- and medium-term work.
Mindfulness Therapy is another tool in her work, teaching simple attention and awareness practices that can help with emotional regulation, stress, and managing intrusive thoughts. These approaches are selected to match each person’s needs and goals.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Cathy will work together with clients to clarify goals, try methods that fit their preferences, and adjust the plan as progress is made. This partnership helps determine whether more skills-based, exploratory, or insight-focused work is most helpful.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be attended by video call or phone, and shorter check-ins or ongoing support can be managed via live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapeutic work into busy schedules and to maintain continuity of care across distances while working with licensed professionals and therapists who tailor treatment to each client.