About Me
Hi, I'm Vicki Smith, a virtual mental health counselor. I have a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor and I am an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in the state of Texas. I have a private practice via online counseling. All ages are welcome and individual, couple and/or family counseling is available. Relationship issues, life transitions, anxiety, depression, stress, grief/loss and much more can make daily life difficult. I can help you find ways to cope with life and to function better than you currently are. I offer a relaxed, supportive, warm environment from the comfort of your own home.
Experience
I worked in public schools for 30 years and have been a counselor since 2005. This experience allowed me to work with people of different backgrounds, races, cultures, genders, orientations, etc. I am quite adept at counseling a wide variety of issues. I often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT focuses on the way people think and act to help them with their emotional/behavioral problems. The goal of therapy is to recognize how these thoughts affect one’s feelings and actions. Once these connections are made, clients learn to replace negative thoughts with healthy ones that result in healthier emotions and behaviors.
Message to Clients
My personal goal is for you to be your healthiest self. You should have a willingness to work hard and be open to the process. I've always had the mantra that if someone leaves a session in better shape than they arrived that it was a success. We won't be trying to create a perfect life nor will it happen overnight. Change is a process and we need to trust in that process. I will work with you on whatever issues you feel need to be addressed. It's important that you know what to expect from me and you share what you expect to gain from therapy. I use a friendly approach but won't hesitate to push when a client needs it in order to make a breakthrough. Our shared goal will be for you to become a happier and healthier you.
What to Expect
All sessions will be virtual via video. Sessions last 53 - 60 minutes. In our first session, we will get to know each other. I want to make sure you are comfortable with me. We will go over the expectations you have for therapy and let you know what you can expect from me. There will be a lot of questions I ask to get to know you better and to get an idea of what we need to work on. Depending on age, parents may be involved so that everyone is on the same page as to what to expect from therapy. Clients will be expected to take an active role in their healing.
Areas of Counseling
- Individual
- Couple
- Family
- Academic - specialty
- ADHD
- Adolescents - specialty
- Anger Management
- Anxiety - specialty
- Career
- Communication
- Conflict Resolution - specialty
- Coping Skills - specialty
- Couples - speciality
- Depression
- Families - specialty
- Grief
- Life Transitions - specialty
- Psychiatric Illness
- Relationships - specialty
- Self Esteem
- ...and more