Dr. Lance Smith

Dr. Lance Smith is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 25 years of clinical experience. He helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, grief, addictions, and the strain of caregiving. He also supports people dealing with trauma, ADHD, intimacy issues, and hospice and end-of-life counseling.

He aims to build a respectful, calm space where people can speak freely about hard topics. Sessions focus on clear, practical steps and honest conversation. The tone is thoughtful and compassionate, and he listens for the concerns that matter most to each person.

Dr. Smith often blends approaches to match a person's needs. He uses elements of cognitive behavioral therapy to help change unhelpful thinking and behavior. He draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships shape current patterns. He also uses client-centered and solution-focused techniques that support short-term goals and clearer communication.

People who come to him for relationship work may also use Gottman method ideas to improve communication and connection. When grief, trauma, or end-of-life issues are present, sessions center on pacing, coping skills, and meaning-making at the client’s pace. He tailors each plan to the situation rather than following one single method.

Dr. Smith holds the LMFT credential and practices in California. He works with adults, individuals, and couples, helping them develop skills to manage emotions, restore connections, and navigate difficult life changes.

How his approaches guide online care

Attachment-based therapy looks at how early bonds shape current relationships and patterns. It helps people understand why they react a certain way in close relationships and supports changes in connection and trust.

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding. The therapist follows the person’s lead, reflecting feelings and encouraging self-directed solutions for problems like anxiety or grief.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps identify unhelpful thoughts and habits and replace them with more useful ones. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes by setting clear, practical tasks between sessions.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and comfort level. That process may shift over time as goals change.

Confirm current online session options before booking, since the biography does not list specific formats. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow brief check-ins when a short session would help. It also lets people keep momentum between in-person visits if that fits their life better.