Jennifer Smith , LCSW

Jennifer Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 23 years of clinical experience supporting people across a wide range of concerns. She earned a BA in Psychology from Ithaca College and began her career working in a psychiatric hospital with patients of all ages, where she conducted psychological testing, co-led group therapy, and assisted with intake evaluations. She went on to earn a Master of Social Work from Adelphi University and worked in the New York City Early Intervention Program before transitioning into clinical psychotherapy roles in community mental health settings in New York and New Jersey.

Over the years she has worked with clients presenting with anxiety, social and school-related avoidance, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depression, bipolar disorder, eating-related concerns, questions about gender identity, reactive attachment difficulties, personality-related challenges, self-injurious behaviors and suicidal thinking, anger management needs, and trauma-related symptoms including PTSD. Her practice also addresses caregiver stress, attachment and abandonment issues, family and communication problems, fertility and parenting concerns, mood disorders, and problems with impulsivity and isolation.

She believes that one approach does not fit all and blends therapeutic methods to match each personâs goals and changing needs. Jennifer sees her role as a flexible, non-judgmental, empathetic listener who helps people identify strengths and build confidence. She typically answers messages and emails in the afternoons through approximately 7pm and is not available on weekends. She is not accepting new clients at this time.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Jennifer Smith incorporates evidence-informed methods tailored to each person's needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, while guiding actions that align with personal values - it can be helpful for stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes. Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns formed in early relationships and how they influence current connections, which can be useful for abandonment, attachment issues, and family or partnership concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and teaches practical skills to shift them, often supporting work with depression, anxiety, OCD symptoms, and mood challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Jennifer works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit best based on their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, and adapts the plan as needs evolve.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can happen by video call or phone, and additional contact can take place via live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to access regular support around work, family, school, and other commitments, and allow licensed professionals to provide consistent, ongoing care without requiring travel.