Brett Smith

Brett Smith is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 22 years of clinical experience. He welcomes people who are struggling with anger, stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, addictions, relationship concerns, and self-esteem. He also offers support around parenting, sleep and eating issues, career changes, and grief. Brett’s background includes work with first responders, veterans, and people who identify as LGBT.

Brett grew interested in counseling after facing his own PTSD following military service. That experience informs how he talks about trauma and its long-lasting effects. He spent years conducting emergency psychiatric assessments and has focused much of his career on trauma symptoms and personality difficulties. He uses that experience to help untangle complex patterns and behaviors.

In session he tends to be direct and practical. He commonly relies on dialectical behavior therapy, and also uses cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness strategies. He has post-graduate study in hypnotherapy and describes his hypnotherapy work as Ericksonian and transformational in style.

Clients can expect straightforward feedback, skill-building, and collaborative problem solving. Brett aims to help people identify what keeps problems going and practice new ways of coping. He also draws on life experience as a combat veteran and former law enforcement officer when it is helpful to the work.

Outside of practice he sails, backpacks, kayaks, and trains dogs with his wife. He creates educational videos on YouTube that expand on topics covered in sessions.

How CBT, DBT, and Mindfulness Fit into Online Care

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and changing behaviors that keep problems going. It is often used for anxiety, depression, anger, and sleep or eating concerns and emphasizes practical exercises and skill practice.

DBT, dialectical behavior therapy, teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills. It is useful for strong mood swings, anger, relationship problems, and people who need concrete tools to manage intense feelings.

Mindfulness therapy uses attention and present-moment awareness exercises to build control over reactivity and reduce rumination. It pairs well with CBT and DBT when the goal is calmer focus and more balanced responses.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will help select methods based on a person’s goals, needs, and preferences. This is a collaborative process that can shift as progress is made or new issues arise.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session formats before booking since the biography does not list specific options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people work with licensed professionals across regions, which can help when location or mobility are limiting factors. Discuss practical needs at intake so sessions are organized around real life commitments rather than assumptions.