Dr. Alysia Smith, LPC, LCPC

Dr. Alysia Smith uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people make clear, practical changes in their daily lives. She focuses on straightforward skills people can use to manage stress, anxiety, mood changes, and problems with substance use. She speaks plainly and helps clients set realistic goals during the first sessions.

Smith holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Developmental Psychology and two master’s degrees in Professional Counseling and Human Service Counseling with a cognate in Addiction and Recovery. She is licensed as an LPC and as an LCPC and has six years of professional experience working in clinical settings in Wisconsin. These credentials reflect her training and clinical background.

In sessions she blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and Motivational Interviewing. That mix helps people change unhelpful thinking, build emotion regulation skills, and find internal motivation for change. She emphasizes practical homework and short-term strategies alongside longer-term coping plans.

Smith helps people work through a wide range of concerns including depression, trauma and abuse, relationship struggles, grief, eating issues, anger, and self-esteem problems. She also supports people facing career stress, life transitions, parenting strain, and issues related to sexual orientation and multicultural identity.

Her approach is collaborative and strengths-based. She invites clients to name goals, try skills between sessions, and review what works. This keeps therapy focused and tied to everyday life.

How CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing work online

CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Online CBT sessions with Dr. Smith often include simple tools and homework to try between meetings, which can help with anxiety, depression, and mood symptoms.

DBT provides practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and reducing impulsive behavior. When used online, DBT skills are taught in step-by-step exercises so people can practice them in daily life and report back during follow-up sessions.

Motivational Interviewing helps people uncover their own reasons for change and build commitment. In remote sessions the therapist uses open questions and reflective listening to support small, achievable steps toward recovery or behavior change.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before, then recommend a mix of CBT, DBT skills, or Motivational Interviewing that fits the person’s needs.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect: video calls for deeper conversation, phone for lower bandwidth or quick check-ins, and live chat or text messaging for brief updates and ongoing support. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, school, or caregiving, and let people use the format that fits their day-to-day life.