Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
Having graduated with undergrad degrees in Sociology (Criminology) and Spanish, I began working in a residential treatment home for youth with emotional and mental illnesses. My early work there, sparked my interest in psychology and counseling. After starting our family, I returned to school to earn a teaching certificate and a Masters degree in Special Education. After many years of teaching in a variety of settings; institutional, public, private and alternative education, I felt I really wanted more time to listen to and talk with my students. Because of this, I returned to the university once more to complete a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology, earning licensure as a Limited License Psychologist and a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Relationship is the key to effective counseling just as it is to effective teaching. Being open to learning about the life of your client; their ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual preference, work, and belief systems is important as a therapist. Knowing your own limitations is also necessary. Life is very difficult at times, especially in these times! Helping clients to live their best lives is very important work.
I use a variety of methods in working with clients. My clients’ ages have ranged from four years to seventy nine years. I work with people with depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, trauma, sexual and physical abuse, parenting problems, and even learning disabilities and people on the autism spectrum. Motivational interviewing, client centered work, solution focused, psychoeducational work, mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are tools that I use, based on what the client wants to achieve and their individual needs. Permeating all that I do is a strength based approach to looking at the person, always building on and utilizing their own strengths to partner with them to become healthy and happier.
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Cathy Smith began her professional journey with undergraduate degrees in Sociology with a focus on Criminology and in Spanish. Her work in a residential treatment home for youth with emotional and mental illnesses inspired a deeper interest in psychology and counseling.
After starting a family, she returned to school to earn a teaching certificate and a master’s degree in Special Education. Many years of teaching followed in institutional, public, private, and alternative education settings. Wanting more time to listen to and engage with individuals one-on-one, she went back to the university to complete a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology.
Following that training, Cathy earned credentials to practice as a Limited License Psychologist and later became a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan. Over an 18-year career she has developed a collaborative, strength-based approach that emphasizes building on each person’s resources to support healthier, more satisfying lives.
She works with people across the lifespan – clients she has seen range in age from four to seventy-nine – and assists with concerns such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, trauma, sexual and physical abuse, parenting difficulties, learning disabilities, and autism spectrum challenges. Cathy tailors therapy to each client’s goals using tools like motivational interviewing, client-centered and solution-focused techniques, psychoeducation, mindfulness practices, and cognitive behavioral therapy, selecting approaches that best fit the individual’s needs.
Located in Michigan, Cathy Smith brings a professional yet approachable style rooted in years of experience in both education and clinical settings, aiming to partner with clients as they work toward greater well-being.
Many people wonder whether remote therapy can really help. For common concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or coping with life changes, online therapy has been found to be comparable in effectiveness to traditional in-person sessions for many individuals.
One major benefit is convenience – clients can connect in the way that fits their life, whether by video call, phone session, live chat, or in-app messaging. This flexibility often makes it easier to maintain regular appointments and integrate therapy into a busy schedule.
All participating practitioners are licensed professionals, and if a different match is needed, clients have the option to switch therapists. For many people, online therapy provides an accessible, practical way to engage in meaningful therapeutic work.
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