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LS Portrait of Dr. Lance Smith

Dr. Lance Smith

Experienced marriage and family therapist

LMFT California

Experience
25 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Lance

About Lance

Dr. Lance Smith is an experienced licensed marriage and family therapist who brings 25 years of clinical practice to clients in California.

Background and approach

He works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship and family challenges, depression, addiction, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting concerns, anger, self-esteem struggles, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. Additional areas of focus include attachment and abandonment issues, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, communication problems, family-of-origin wounds, multicultural concerns, panic and post-traumatic stress, and end-of-life counseling.

Dr. Smith approaches therapy with thoughtfulness and compassion, aiming to build a respectful environment where clients feel comfortable exploring difficult topics.

His work draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered methods, the Gottman Method for relationship work, and Solution-Focused Therapy, adapting techniques to each person or couple’s goals. He emphasizes collaborative goal-setting and practical strategies alongside understanding patterns that contribute to emotional pain.

Holding a California LMFT license (CA LMFT 158469) and decades of experience, he guides clients toward clearer communication, healthier relationships, and better coping with life changes. Prospective clients can expect a steady, engaged clinician who tailors methods to the needs presented and helps chart a path forward.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Smith commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy into his online practice. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression and support practical coping skills. Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns of relating and emotional connection within relationships, which can help with intimacy difficulties, abandonment concerns, and family dynamics.

Finding the right method is a collaborative process. He works with each client to assess needs and preferences, combining approaches as appropriate so the treatment fits the person rather than forcing a single model. Clients can expect to discuss goals and try strategies together to determine what supports progress most effectively.

Online therapy with him uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase scheduling flexibility and accessibility. These formats allow for consistent work on communication skills, thought restructuring, trauma-informed strategies, and relationship tools from home or wherever the client is located in California, making it easier to maintain momentum between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?
He works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, relationship and family conflict, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting, anger, self-esteem, bipolar, and ADHD, along with many related focus areas.
What is the therapist's general approach to treatment?
Their style blends practical skill-building and exploration of relationship patterns, commonly using cognitive behavioral techniques alongside attachment-based and client-centered perspectives to meet the client's goals.
How much clinical experience does the therapist have?
He brings 25 years of professional experience working with individuals, couples, and families across a range of concerns and presentations.
What credentials and location apply to this therapist?
He is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a California license listed as CA LMFT 158469 and offers services based in California.
Are services available in languages other than English or to international clients?
Sessions are provided in English, and he is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are offered?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexible ways to meet with a therapist.
How is cost and scheduling handled?
Cost varies with 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?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a session based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression

Also works with

AddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Gottman MethodSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Oklahoma, Utah, California

Languages

English