Deborah Smart, LMHC
Warm, experienced licensed mental health counselor
- 22 years experience
- Warm collaborative approach
- Offers Christian counseling option
About Deborah Smart
Deborah Smart is a Florida-based licensed mental health counselor who brings more than two decades of experience to her practice. She holds a BS in Education, an M.Ed. in School Counseling, and an MA in Mental Health Counseling, and is credentialed as an LMHC - a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Her professional path has been shaped by mentorship and varied counseling roles, and she now draws on that background to guide others toward growth and healing.
Throughout a long career in multiple counseling settings, Deborah has developed focused experience working with trauma, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and family-related challenges. She approaches each person with warmth and collaboration, believing that meaningful change grows from connection and from examining past and present sources of pain so clients can move toward their fullest potential. For clients who prefer it, she also integrates Christian counseling into her work.
Deborah emphasizes heart-centered communication and practical steps to reduce emotional distress, combining empathy with evidence-based methods to support movement toward clarity, wholeness, and renewed purpose. She encourages prospective clients to share preferred times for sessions and will make her best effort to accommodate morning, afternoon, or evening appointments when scheduling needs align.
Throughout a long career in multiple counseling settings, Deborah has developed focused experience working with trauma, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and family-related challenges. She approaches each person with warmth and collaboration, believing that meaningful change grows from connection and from examining past and present sources of pain so clients can move toward their fullest potential. For clients who prefer it, she also integrates Christian counseling into her work.
Deborah emphasizes heart-centered communication and practical steps to reduce emotional distress, combining empathy with evidence-based methods to support movement toward clarity, wholeness, and renewed purpose. She encourages prospective clients to share preferred times for sessions and will make her best effort to accommodate morning, afternoon, or evening appointments when scheduling needs align.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Family conflictsIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
Aging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Attachment-Based Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Mindfulness Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Deborah Smart have?
She has 22 years of experience.
Is Deborah Smart a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor). License details: FL LMHC MH11155.
In which languages does Deborah Smart provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English.
Where is Deborah Smart located?
She is located in Florida.
How can I work with Deborah Smart as my therapist?
You can work with Deborah Smart through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Deborah Smart work with international clients?
Deborah Smart does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Deborah Smart 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 and the Benefits of Online Care
Deborah Smart integrates Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into her clinical work. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns and helps clients build more secure, connected ways of relating. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression and to improve everyday functioning. Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and tolerating distress when life feels overwhelming.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Deborah works with each person to identify goals, preferences, and needs, then tailors methods that fit the individual’s situation rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model. This collaborative planning helps clients feel engaged and supported throughout treatment.
Online therapy offers flexible access to care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care during life transitions, and receive consistent support from licensed professionals without travel barriers.