Jennifer Smith , LCSW

Jennifer Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with approximately 23 years of clinical experience. She earned a BA in Psychology from Ithaca College and began her career working in a psychiatric hospital where she conducted psychological testing, co-led group therapy, and assisted with patient intake. She went on to complete a Master of Social Work at Adelphi University and worked in the New York City Early Intervention Program before shifting her focus to clinical psychotherapy in community mental health settings across New York and New Jersey.

Her career path led to a role as Clinical Director at a small therapeutic school serving grades 6-12 in Central New Jersey. Through these varied positions she has developed comfort and familiarity with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, social and school avoidance, OCD, depression, bipolar disorders, eating disorders, questions around gender identity, reactive attachment disorder, personality disorders, self-injurious behaviors and suicidal ideation, anger management, and PTSD. She emphasizes that a single method does not suit everyone and integrates different treatment modalities after learning a client’s goals and needs.

Jennifer positions herself as a flexible, non-judgmental, empathetic listener who aims to help clients identify strengths and build confidence. She typically responds to messages and emails in the afternoons through approximately 7pm and is not available on weekends. She looks forward to beginning the work with those who choose to engage in therapy.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Jennifer Smith uses several evidence-informed approaches to meet individual needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify personal values and accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that support a meaningful life - it is often useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life transitions.

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on understanding patterns that developed in early relationships and how they influence current connections. This approach can help with abandonment concerns, attachment issues, relationship and family difficulties, and trust challenges.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a collaborative, empathetic relationship in which the therapist listens carefully and supports the client’s own capacity for growth. This style is helpful when someone needs an accepting space to explore identity, self-esteem, or major life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Jennifer works collaboratively with clients and licensed professionals to identify which methods best match a person’s goals, preferences, and presenting concerns, and she adapts as needs evolve.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit varying schedules and comfort levels. These options help make ongoing support more accessible for people balancing work, school, caregiving, or geographical constraints.