Lesley Smith
Therapist focused on practical relationship work
LCMHC North Carolina
- Experience
- 25 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem
- Approaches
- Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Languages
- English
About Lesley
Lesley Smith, LCMHC, brings 25 years of clinical experience to her counseling work in North Carolina. She focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, and self-esteem.
Background and approach
Lesley uses practical, person-focused methods to help people take meaningful steps forward. Her style is warm and client-centered.
She listens first, then helps people identify small, doable changes. Sessions often focus on clearer communication, stronger boundaries, and coping skills for day-to-day stressors.
Lesley uses a mix of approaches to match each person's needs. She draws on the Gottman Method for relationship skills, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and build psychological flexibility, and Attachment-Based ideas to explore how early bonds affect current patterns.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools often appear when working on anxiety, mood, or unhelpful thinking. Clients can expect straightforward, practical goals.
Lesley helps people break down big problems into steps they can try between sessions. She also supports work on life transitions, career stress, grief, and compassion fatigue.
Lesley holds the Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor credential, LCMHC. She offers sessions in English and provides several online formats including video calls, phone, live chat, and text messaging.
To begin, a client completes a short matching questionnaire and schedules a session according to availability.
Online therapy with relationship and values-based approaches
Lesley combines Gottman-informed work with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based ideas to guide online sessions. The Gottman-informed approach focuses on improving communication, managing conflict, and rebuilding connection through specific skills and practical exercises. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify what matters to them and build actions aligned with those values while learning new ways to respond to difficult thoughts and feelings. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns of relating that come from early relationships and how those patterns show up in adult life and close connections.Finding the right approach is part of the process. Lesley collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and comfort level. She will suggest a plan, check in about how techniques are working, and adapt strategies as progress unfolds.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for longer sessions and interactive exercises, while phone calls can work better when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging are helpful for brief check-ins, coaching-style support, or when someone prefers not to be on camera. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and varied life demands.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Licensed in
North Carolina
Languages
English