Dr. Frederick Smoot

Dr. Frederick Smoot is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) based in California. He brings five years of clinical experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, grief, addiction, and anger. He meets clients with a warm, curious presence and aims to create an atmosphere free of shame. Dr. Smoot frames therapy as a shared process where goals are set together and progress is practical and goal-oriented.

He describes his style as relational and client-centered, combining respect with honest, direct feedback when it helps. Sessions focus on what matters most to the person in front of him - whether that is parenting strain, career crossroads, or the fallout from trauma and abuse. He encourages people to reclaim their lives and move toward values that feel meaningful.

Dr. Smoot uses a mix of therapeutic tools gathered from several approaches. He draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to shift unhelpful patterns, and mindfulness to expand present-moment awareness. He also works with Gottman Method ideas for relationship concerns and motivational techniques for addiction and change.

He has specific experience supporting people with compassion fatigue, caregiving stress, blended family issues, infidelity, and end-of-life concerns. His practice also addresses intimacy-related issues, eating concerns, and identity matters for LGBT clients.

Dr. Smoot asks clients to collaborate on treatment plans tailored to their needs. He encourages that first step of reaching out as an act of courage and offers steady support along the way.

Therapeutic approaches you can use online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people get clearer about what matters most and take action toward those values, even when feelings are hard. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and practicing new ways of responding to reduce distress. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to increase awareness and reduce reactivity in stressful moments.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will help figure out which methods fit a person’s goals and preferences. That decision is made together and can change over time as needs shift.

The original biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make therapy easier to fit into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, and remove the need to travel. Many people find it helpful to do sessions from a quieter space at work or home, or choose a phone check-in when video is difficult. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises and homework to work well over distance, so progress continues between meetings.