Jennifer Smith , LCSW

Jennifer Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 23 years of practice experience. She aims to make starting therapy less intimidating and helps people take practical steps toward feeling more able and hopeful.

She listens first and learns what matters most to each person. Jennifer mixes methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and attachment-based ideas to match a client's goals. Sessions focus on clear, usable tools and small changes that add up over time.

Her background began with a bachelor of arts in psychology from Ithaca College and work in a psychiatric hospital doing testing, group work, and intake. She then earned a Master of Social Work at Adelphi University and worked in the New York City Early Intervention Program, before moving into community mental health in New York and New Jersey.

Jennifer later took on leadership as Clinical Director at a small therapeutic school for grades 6 through 12 in Central New Jersey. That experience broadened her work with mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, self-injury, eating concerns, and issues around gender identity and attachment.

In sessions she stays flexible and nonjudgmental. She helps people tackle stress, anxiety, grief, depression, parenting strain, anger, low self-esteem, and mood disorders by adapting approaches to the person in front of her. Communication is straightforward and focused on what helps next.

How Jennifer blends approaches for online care

Jennifer commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy in her work. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns and building new behavior that leads to clearer results; it is useful for anxiety, depression, and managing mood changes. Acceptance and commitment therapy helps people name their values and make space for difficult feelings while taking action toward what matters, which can help with grief, stress, and life transitions.

She approaches choice of method as a team effort. Together with each client she will talk about goals, try strategies, and adjust the plan when something is not working. The aim is to find practical steps that fit daily life rather than forcing a single method on everyone.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which let people fit therapy into busy schedules. Video is useful for deeper conversations and visual cues, phone works when bandwidth is limited, short live chats or text exchanges are helpful for quick check-ins, and messaging can keep momentum between sessions. These options make it easier to continue work consistently while balancing family, school, or work.