Athina Smalios

Compassionate, practical support for emotional resilience

LCSW Florida

Experience: 20 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing
Languages: English

About Athina

Athina Smalios is a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, self-esteem challenges, relationship and family concerns, parenting struggles, bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, and coping with life changes.

Background and approach

She emphasizes practical skills and emotional understanding, guiding clients through difficult transitions and complex emotional experiences while addressing related issues such as caregiver stress, workplace problems, and feelings of isolation. Her style blends compassion with collaboration, encouraging clients to build on strengths and to develop concrete coping strategies.

Athina uses evidence-informed techniques to reduce distress and increase clarity, focusing on what is most useful for each person’s situation. She draws on a range of approaches to tailor sessions to individual goals, helping clients move from survival toward greater confidence and stability.

Based in Florida, Athina holds the LCSW credential and offers services in English. Her work aims to support people through recovery, problem solving, and personal growth by combining empathy with structured therapeutic tools.

Evidence-informed approaches for online therapy

Athina uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, providing structured tools for managing anxiety, depression, and stress. Motivational Interviewing is another approach she draws on to explore ambivalence and strengthen personal motivation for change, often useful when people are making behavioral or life transitions.

Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist works with clients to clarify goals, preferences, and practical needs, then adapts interventions so they fit the person's situation and priorities. That collaborative decision-making helps tailor work to each client's pace and readiness for change.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules or those who prefer remote care. These options make it easier to maintain continuity across life changes, support timely check-ins, and allow therapists and clients to choose the communication mode that best supports progress and accessibility.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

Athina works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, self esteem, relationships, family and parenting challenges, bipolar and depression, ADHD, and coping with life changes.

What is the therapist's general therapeutic style?

The approach is compassionate and collaborative, combining empathy with practical skills to help clients understand strengths and build coping strategies for real-life difficulties.

How long has the therapist been practicing?

She brings 20 years of clinical experience to her work, including supporting trauma recovery, grief counseling, and emotion regulation.

Where is the therapist licensed and what credentials are held?

The therapist is a licensed clinical social worker in Florida with credential FL LCSW SW9066 and practices under the LCSW designation.

Which languages are available for therapy sessions?

Sessions are offered in English only, and international clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are offered for online work?

Available session formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.

How is cost and subscription handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse GriefAnger managementSelf esteem

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesBipolar disorderDepression Coping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

Autism and Asperger SyndromeCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsControl issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English