Marianne Smith, LPC

Marianne Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Arizona who uses practical, evidence-informed approaches to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship concerns. She brings 28 years of clinical experience to sessions and focuses on helping clients build everyday skills they can use outside therapy.

Marianne emphasizes clear, honest conversation. She keeps sessions straightforward and goal-oriented while remaining warm and nonjudgmental. Clients can expect calm, direct guidance that aims to identify patterns and try new ways of coping.

Her work commonly addresses mood disorders, panic and post-traumatic stress, grief, and compassion fatigue. She also helps people facing money worries, workplace problems, communication struggles, and major life changes like divorce or caregiving strain. LGBT and gender dysphoria concerns are included among her focus areas.

Marianne draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to challenge unhelpful thoughts and build coping strategies. She also uses client-centered methods to follow each person’s pace and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotion regulation when needed. These approaches are blended into sessions so clients get techniques that fit their situation.

She values authenticity and respect, and tries to create a relaxed atmosphere where people feel heard. Practical homework and simple skill practice are common parts of the work, so progress continues between appointments.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Marianne often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; this approach is useful for anxiety, panic, depression, and social worries. She also incorporates Client-Centered Therapy, which centers the conversation on the client’s experience and helps people feel understood as they explore goals. When emotional regulation is a challenge she may bring in Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to teach techniques for managing intense feelings and improving communication.

Choosing the best approach is a team process. Marianne works collaboratively to figure out what fits each person’s goals and comfort level rather than prescribing a single method. She checks in about progress and adjusts techniques so the work stays relevant and useful.

Online sessions offer flexibility through video calls, phone appointments, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video works well for a fuller conversation and visual connection, phone can be a simpler option with lower bandwidth, and messaging or live chat suit short check-ins or on-the-spot coaching. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and keep momentum between meetings.