David Smith
Practical, strength-based therapy for life change
LMHC Iowa
- Experience
- 25 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Anger
- Approaches
- Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Languages
- English
About David
David Smith is an Iowa licensed mental health counselor with 25 years of experience. He focuses on helping people who feel stuck by working with strengths and practical steps.
Background and approach
He aims to make therapy approachable, clear, and focused on real change. He listens first and helps clients set goals that matter to them.
Sessions often include straightforward tools for managing stress, anxiety, anger, and low mood. He also supports people facing life transitions and relationship struggles.
David blends several approaches rather than relying on a single method. He uses elements from cognitive behavioral work, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and the Gottman Method when addressing relationship patterns.
He prefers methods that lead to concrete steps clients can try between sessions. Clients can expect a mix of listening, gentle challenge, and practical exercises.
He checks in regularly about progress and adapts plans based on feedback. The work is collaborative - the client’s view guides the course of therapy.
David brings a pragmatic, empathetic style to sessions. He also draws on experience with issues such as addiction, family of origin concerns, codependency, fatherhood questions, and aging-related matters.
If someone wants straightforward help to cope and make change, he aims to provide steady, experienced support.
How therapeutic approaches translate online
David commonly uses the Gottman Method to address relationship patterns by identifying communication habits and developing practical interaction skills couples or partners can practice. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify values and take committed steps toward them while learning simple ways to handle difficult thoughts and feelings.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels useful. Together they decide whether to emphasize relationship skills, ACT strategies, cognitive techniques, or a combination that fits the situation.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to make therapy more manageable around busy lives. Video is useful for deeper conversational work and skills practice, while phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging allow for shorter check-ins, follow-up between sessions, or quick problem-solving on the go. These options give flexibility so therapy can fit work, caregiving, travel, or other schedules.
Frequently asked questions
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Licensed in
Iowa
Languages
English