Phyllis Smith, LMFT
Phyllis Smith LMFT specializing in relationships
- Couples and family therapy
- Stress and anxiety support
- Trauma and grief care
About Phyllis Smith
Phyllis Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with more than five years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through life transitions and relational challenges. She has worked with people across a wide range of ages, genders, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender identities, bringing a respectful, inclusive stance to each therapeutic relationship. Phyllis approaches counseling from a strengths-based, collaborative perspective, taking genuine interest in clients' hopes, goals, and aspirations and helping them move toward greater mental and emotional wellbeing.
Her work emphasizes resilience and growth, using clients' existing strengths to restore hope and open new perspectives. She partners with clients to identify clear goals for therapy and offers gentle challenge delivered with empathy, guiding the adoption of new patterns of thought and behavior. Phyllis draws on a systems lens that considers how relationships and contexts shape experience, and she tailors methods to each person’s unique needs.
Her primary clinical modalities include Bowenian approaches focused on personal growth, experiential techniques that engage feeling and action, and structural and strategic methods that address family interactions. Because every person and family is different, Phyllis adapts her strategies to fit the specific circumstances presented in therapy.
Her work emphasizes resilience and growth, using clients' existing strengths to restore hope and open new perspectives. She partners with clients to identify clear goals for therapy and offers gentle challenge delivered with empathy, guiding the adoption of new patterns of thought and behavior. Phyllis draws on a systems lens that considers how relationships and contexts shape experience, and she tailors methods to each person’s unique needs.
Her primary clinical modalities include Bowenian approaches focused on personal growth, experiential techniques that engage feeling and action, and structural and strategic methods that address family interactions. Because every person and family is different, Phyllis adapts her strategies to fit the specific circumstances presented in therapy.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveWomen's issuesWorkplace issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Existential Therapy Gottman Method Mindfulness Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Phyllis Smith have?
Phyllis Smith has 5 years of experience.
Is Phyllis Smith a licensed therapist?
Yes. Phyllis Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - LMFT. Her license details are NC LMFT 1905.
In which languages does Phyllis Smith provide therapy?
Phyllis Smith provides therapy in English.
Where is Phyllis Smith located?
Phyllis Smith is located in North Carolina.
How can I work with Phyllis Smith as my therapist?
You can work with Phyllis Smith through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Phyllis Smith work with international clients?
Phyllis Smith does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Phyllis Smith cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the Start Therapy button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the Start Therapy button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Approaches and Online Options for Relationship and Family Work
Phyllis Smith draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and the Gottman Method to guide online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on understanding each person's experience with warmth and acceptance, helping people explore values, goals, and personal strengths to build self-awareness and motivation. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps identify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and teaches practical skills to manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, and stress. The Gottman Method offers structured tools and exercises for couples to improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen emotional connection.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Phyllis partners with clients to understand their needs, goals, and preferences and then recommends or integrates methods that fit those priorities. Together they evaluate what feels most useful and adjust the plan as progress unfolds.
Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it possible to engage in meaningful therapeutic work from home, coordinate sessions around family and work demands, and maintain continuity of care when in-person visits are not convenient, while still working with licensed professionals and therapists who focus on relationships, families, and individual wellbeing.