Dionna Smith-Johnson

Compassionate, practical support for life’s challenges

LCMHC North Carolina

Experience: 3 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Dionna

Dionna Smith-Johnson is a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) practicing in North Carolina who focuses on guiding people through anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, and major life changes.

Background and approach

She blends practical, evidence-informed methods with a compassionate stance to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop clearer coping strategies. With three years of professional experience, she emphasizes collaboration and respect for each person’s individual story while working toward concrete goals.

Her sessions often center on improving communication, cultivating self-compassion, and addressing stresses tied to caregiving, relationship conflict, substance concerns, and feelings of emptiness or isolation. Dionna uses client-centered techniques to create an accepting therapeutic space and integrates cognitive behavioral ideas to offer actionable tools for mood management and behavior change.

She aims to help clients move from overwhelm toward more intentional living through steady, practical steps.

Online Approaches Grounded in Collaboration

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and build concrete skills for managing anxiety, depression, compulsive behaviors, and stress. This approach tends to focus on present-day problems and practical strategies that can be practiced between sessions.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, validation, and a nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship so clients can explore feelings, values, and goals at their own pace. It supports work on self-compassion, communication, grief, and life transitions by prioritizing the client’s perspective.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Dionna works with each person to determine which methods align best with their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts sessions over time based on what is helping most.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for people balancing work, caregiving, or transportation challenges. These formats make it easier to fit regular sessions into a busy life while maintaining continuity of care with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

Dionna works with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, depression, and coping with life changes, and she also focuses on caregiver stress, communication problems, domestic violence, substance issues, emptiness, family problems, guilt and shame, hospice and end-of-life counseling, infidelity, isolation, life purpose, veteran and armed forces issues, mood disorders, obsessions and compulsions, and paranoia.

How would you describe the therapeutic style?

Her style combines client-centered listening with evidence-informed tools so clients feel heard while learning practical strategies to manage symptoms and change behavior.

What is her professional background?

She has three years of clinical experience supporting people through mood concerns, grief, addiction-related issues, and life transitions.

What credentials and location information are available?

She holds the LCMHC credential and practices in North Carolina; the license number is NC LCMHC 18584.

Which languages are used in sessions and can international clients join?

Sessions are conducted in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.

In what formats are sessions offered?

Appointments are available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and preferences.

How is pricing handled for sessions?

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

What are the first steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule an appointment based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Grief Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Caregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily problemsGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCDParanoiaPhobias Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Experience

3+ years

Licensed

North Carolina

Languages

English