CBT Therapist Directory

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Dr. David Smith, LICSW

LICSW guiding authentic growth and resilience
  • Stress and anxiety relief
  • Relationship and family work
  • Two decades of experience

About Dr. David Smith

Dr. David Smith brings two decades of professional experience to his clinical work, blending roles as a practitioner, educator, consultant, researcher, and author. He is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - LICSW - which denotes advanced training and qualification in clinical social work. His writing includes the recent book "Grace and Authenticity: Uncovering the Authentic Self," which illustrates the methods he uses to reduce stress and anxiety, shift perspective, and draw on existing strengths to pursue a more fulfilling life.

He helps clients uncover their internal resilience and develop personalized strategies to move past obstacles that impede growth. That process focuses on identifying practical tools and new ways of seeing oneself so that lasting changes become possible. Dr. Smith emphasizes that growth often requires effort but is deeply worthwhile, and he frames therapeutic work as a process of discovering the life that aligns with a person’s values and goals.

In practice he draws on cognitive and psychodynamic ideas alongside psychoanalytic and systems-informed perspectives to tailor treatment to each person’s needs. Those approaches are applied to issues such as stress and anxiety, relationship and family difficulties, addiction, trauma, grief, and life transitions. Dr. Smith aims to help people reframe limiting beliefs, access their strengths, and create practical steps toward the life they want to live.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

Also Specializes In

AddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesCareer difficultiesDepressionCompassion fatigue

Additional Focus Areas

Attachment issuesCodependencyCommitment issuesControl issuesDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic Approach

Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Existential Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems Systemic Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Dr. David Smith have?

Dr. David Smith has 20 years of experience.

Is Dr. David Smith a licensed therapist?

Yes. He holds the credential LICSW - Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. License details - MN LICSW 08854.

In which languages does Dr. David Smith provide therapy?

Dr. David Smith provides therapy in English.

Where is Dr. David Smith located?

Dr. David Smith is located in Minnesota.

How can I work with Dr. David Smith as my therapist?

You can work with Dr. David Smith through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Dr. David Smith work with international clients?

Dr. David Smith does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Dr. David 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 with therapy 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.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care and Growth



Dr. David Smith commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people identify and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. CBT is practical and problem-focused, often used for issues like anxiety, depression, and stress by teaching skills for managing symptoms and building healthier habits.

He also integrates psychodynamic therapy, which explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns influence current feelings and relationships. This approach can be useful for addressing long-standing relational patterns, attachment concerns, and recurring emotional themes.

Additionally, client-centered principles guide his work by prioritizing the client’s perspective, fostering empathy, and supporting clients to find their own solutions. That approach is helpful for clients seeking validation, self-exploration, and growth at their own pace.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Smith works with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and he adapts strategies as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be scheduled as video calls or phone sessions, or conducted via live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, maintain continuity during transitions, and access care from different locations while working with licensed professionals and therapists who tailor treatment to individual needs.

Ready to start therapy with Dr. David Smith?

Take the first step toward a better you.