Jennifer Smith

Jennifer Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 23 years of experience helping people who are overwhelmed by strong emotions, life transitions, or persistent mood struggles. She works with individuals facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, parenting challenges, anger, and issues related to identity and relationships. Her tone is straightforward and practical, aimed at someone looking for steady support during hard times.

She began with a BA in Psychology from Ithaca College and worked in a psychiatric hospital doing psychological testing, co-leading groups, and helping with intake. Jennifer then earned a Master of Social Work at Adelphi University and spent time in New York City’s Early Intervention Program before moving into community mental health work in New York and New Jersey.

Over the years she has supported people with a wide range of concerns, including mood disorders, eating-related issues, self-injury, PTSD, and anger management. Her current role as Clinical Director at a small therapeutic school for grades 6-12 in Central New Jersey adds a perspective on adolescent needs and school-related stress.

Jennifer draws from several practical therapy approaches rather than one fixed method. She blends acceptance and commitment ideas, attachment-based thinking, client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral techniques, and strategies from dialectical behavior therapy to match each person’s goals.

She describes her role as a flexible, non-judgmental listener who helps clients build confidence and use their strengths. Messages and emails are typically answered in the afternoons through about 7pm, and she is not available on weekends.

How therapeutic approaches shape online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and then commit to actions that match their values. It can help with anxiety, low mood, and problems that come from avoidance. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, behaviors, and feelings and uses straightforward exercises to change patterns that keep people stuck; it often helps with anxiety, depression, and anger by teaching practical skills.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals and preferences and then use one or more approaches that fit. This is meant to be a collaborative process where methods are adjusted as needs change.

Session formats are not specified in the original biography, so please confirm current online options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy weeks, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Some approaches lend themselves to homework and brief exercises that can be practiced between sessions, which is useful when balancing school, work, or caregiving responsibilities. Licensed professionals commonly adapt materials and pacing to work well over distance while keeping the focus on concrete skills and steady progress.