Therapist profile
Dr. Lance Smith, LMFT
LMFT - Relationships and Family concerns
Continue with LanceAbout
- Attachment-based work
- CBT strategies
- Gottman ideas
About Lance
Dr. Lance Smith is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 25 years of clinical experience in California. He works with adults addressing stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, depression, addiction, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting strain, anger, self-esteem, and related issues.
He uses straightforward conversation to help people make sense of what is happening at home. Sessions focus on practical steps and clearer communication rather than jargon. He draws on approaches that look at how attachment and patterns shape relationships and behavior.
Dr. Smith often combines client-centered work with cognitive behavioral techniques to help people test small changes and notice what shifts. He also uses Solution-Focused methods to set concrete short-term goals. When relationship issues are present he may introduce ideas from the Gottman Method to improve everyday interaction and reduce conflict.
His background includes long experience with blended family issues, family of origin concerns, caregiver stress, multicultural questions, and working with people affected by autism spectrum conditions and ADHD. He has supported people facing hospice and end-of-life decisions and those coping with abandonment, shame, guilt, and post-traumatic stress.
People can expect clear agendas, practical homework when useful, and a steady focus on what will help in daily life. To begin, the site asks prospective clients to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session using the online booking flow.
How sessions work
How his therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early connection patterns affect current relationships. In practical terms this means talking through recurring reactions and testing new ways of relating to partners or family members. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting back what matters most to the client, helping people clarify their priorities and feel heard. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings and behaviors and uses small experiments to change unhelpful patterns and reduce anxiety or mood symptoms.Picking the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will review needs, goals, and preferences together and recommend which methods to try first. That recommendation can change as progress is made, so treatment remains a collaborative process.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm the current online options before booking. One practical benefit of online work is easier scheduling around family life and errands, which can make regular check-ins more realistic. Online sessions can also allow shorter, focused check-ins when time is tight, or video meetings when nonverbal interaction is helpful. Licensed professionals regularly adapt exercises and homework to fit a client's day-to-day routine so progress can happen between sessions without major disruption.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Oklahoma, Utah, California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting strain, anger, self-esteem and related concerns.
How would he approach my situation?
He blends client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral techniques and solution-focused steps to set practical goals and try small changes between sessions.
How much experience does he have?
He has 25 years of clinical experience working in marital and family therapy settings.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not detailed here; please confirm current online session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session through the site.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.