About David
Dr. David Smith is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) based in Minnesota with 20 years of clinical experience. He draws on decades of work in clinical practice, teaching, research, and writing to support people facing anxiety, stress, life transitions, and relationship concerns.
His style is direct and steady, focused on practical steps people can use right away. He helps people notice patterns that keep them stuck and then try different ways of responding.
Background and approach
Sessions emphasize clear goals and small experiments clients can do between meetings. David uses approachable language and keeps sessions focused on what matters to each person. His background includes clinical work, academic roles, consulting, and published writing that reflects his method.
He often uses ideas from cognitive behavioral approaches and psychodynamic thinking to map how thoughts and early experiences shape current struggles. He also draws on client-centered and solution-focused ideas to support day-to-day coping. People looking for help with anxiety, stress, grief, addiction, workplace strain, or questions about life purpose will find a practical, step-oriented approach.
He pays attention to attachment and family of origin themes when those are relevant. Sessions are aimed at helping people build on their strengths and try new habits. David invites collaboration on goals and pacing.
He frames progress as steady learning rather than a single fix. That makes the work manageable and easier to apply in busy lives.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Options
Client-centered therapy focuses on the person in the room and on building a trusting conversation. It helps people feel heard and guides choices about what to change. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers practical exercises to reduce anxious thoughts and change unhelpful behaviors. Existential therapy invites questions about meaning, values, and life direction and can help during major transitions or when someone feels stuck.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust the plan over time. This allows the work to stay focused and relevant to real life demands.
Online therapy formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for face-to-face conversation and seeing nonverbal cues. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a session needs to fit during a break. Live chat and messaging can be good for short check-ins, tracking progress, or when written reflection helps. These options make it easier to schedule regular sessions and to keep momentum between meetings.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
Also listed
- Addictions
- Attachment issues
- Career difficulties
- Coaching
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Compassion fatigue
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating disorders
- Family conflicts
- Family of origin issues
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Intimacy-related issues
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Parenting issues
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 20 years
- Licensed
- Minnesota
- Languages
- English
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