Dr. Sonia Smith, LCSW

Dr. Sonia Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New York who uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a core approach. She blends evidence-informed methods with a people-first style to help clients manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, and grief. Her tone is practical and direct, focused on everyday coping and clearer thinking. With 25 years of experience, Dr. Smith helps people address addiction, parenting strain, anger, self-esteem, and life transitions. She also works with issues tied to family dynamics such as adoption and foster care, attachment concerns, blended family challenges, and family-of-origin problems. Clients may bring trauma, domestic violence histories, immigration-related stress, or end-of-life and hospice concerns. Her sessions emphasize practical tools and collaborative planning. She uses CBT techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and replace it with workable alternatives. Client-Centered Therapy offers space for people to be heard and to build their own goals. Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused approaches help when someone needs clarity and momentum to change behaviors or reach specific aims. Dr. Smith draws on long clinical experience in community and family-focused settings. She pairs straightforward skill-building with attention to each person’s background and goals. Expect a mix of talk, skill practice, and concrete steps to try between sessions. She offers therapy in English and provides multiple online formats for appointments. People who want to begin can use the site’s Start Therapy process to match, then schedule to fit their needs.

How CBT and Client-Focused Approaches Work Online

Dr. Smith often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients spot unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. CBT is practical and skill-based, useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with life changes. She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to make space for each person's story and priorities, letting the client guide the pace and topics of work.

Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused methods are used when someone wants to build motivation or reach a specific goal. Motivational Interviewing helps resolve mixed feelings about change, while Solution-Focused work narrows in on small steps that create momentum. Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process; Dr. Smith will discuss options and tailor methods to the client's needs, goals, and preferences.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video works well for in-depth conversation and skill practice. Phone sessions can be a good fit when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging allow brief updates, coaching between meetings, or ongoing support without scheduling a full session. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving, and daily life while keeping the focus on practical progress.