About
I’m Marsha Smith
a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). I am a Columbia University alumni and hold graduate-level social work and clinical psychology degrees. I am a practicing psychotherapist with 10-years of clinical experience in individual, family, group therapy, and specializations in couples and perinatal and postpartum treatment. In addition, I am a clinical psychology doctoral candidate. My core focus is to help my clients live the best life they have envisioned.
What to expect
Therapeutic Process
The therapist will use your first session to gather information about your past physical, mental, and emotional health. You will discuss the concerns bringing you to therapy. While it can take a few sessions for the therapist to understand your presenting problem, you and your therapist will address your concerns and determine the best course of action.
You can also use the first session to determine if the therapist’s style is a good fit for your needs. Finding a therapist you are comfortable with is vital to successful treatment. It is essential to talk about the treatment approach the therapist will employ, treatment goals, session length, and how many sessions are needed.
Confidentiality
At first, it may not be easy to talk about past experiences or current concerns. Sessions may stir up intense emotions. It is possible to become upset, angry, or sad during treatment. However, therapists can help people build confidence and become more comfortable as sessions progress. As time passes, clients in therapy may develop a more positive mood and healthier thinking patterns. Clients can expect confidentiality in therapy sessions. However, a therapist may break confidentiality if someone is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others. Therapists may also do this if required by federal or state law. Your therapist will explain the limits of confidentiality and provide written guidelines during the first therapy session.
Expertises
Stress
Stress is a bodily response to life’s demands. There are emotional and mental aspects of stress experienced as maladaptive thoughts and feelings and distressing bodily sensations. Stress can also be an internal and conditioned response to external pressures.
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean excessive nervousness, worry, or self-doubt that sometimes interferes with daily functioning. While the cause of anxiety is sometimes easy to spot, this is not always the case. Everyone experiences some level of anxiety once in a while.
Relationships
Individuals can learn how to process and resolve disputes in a manner that does not erode their relationships. Learn how to foster healthier relationships, become more attuned to your partner, and listen more effectively. Develop empathy, compassion, understanding, and respect.
Family
Family problems can manifest in the healthiest of families, resulting in challenging, frustrating, and painful interactions among family members. Minor irritations to buried resentments can fester and become worse if not addressed.
Need a place to process your challenges?
If you need to offload the burdens, that beset you, reach out to me. I will create a therapeutic environment that fosters personal growth.
