- Stress and anxiety
- Parenting support
- Blended family issues
About Phyllis
Phyllis Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in North Carolina with five years of experience. She offers help for stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, parenting questions, depression, addictions, grief, and related issues including blended family challenges. She works with adults and adults in relationships, using clear, goal-focused conversations to identify steps forward.
Phyllis focuses on practical problem solving alongside emotional understanding. She listens for patterns that cause repeated conflict and helps people try different ways of responding. Sessions often include gentle challenges to unhelpful habits, and attention to strengths people can use right away.
Her work draws from Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to change unhelpful thinking and build better day-to-day practices. She also uses Gottman Method ideas for relationship interactions and Mindfulness techniques to reduce reactivity and improve focus.
Phyllis pays attention to family history and relationships as systems that affect current problems. That perspective is useful for blended household issues like loyalty conflicts, co-parenting with an ex, divided routines, and shifting roles. She helps individuals sort through what they can influence and what requires different boundaries.
Her style is collaborative and straightforward. She asks about goals, suggests specific strategies, and checks in on progress. To begin, prospective clients complete a short questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy puts your concerns at the center of each session. The therapist listens, reflects, and helps you clarify what matters most so you can set concrete goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors through practical exercises and small experiments to reduce anxiety or improve mood. Mindfulness Therapy adds attention skills that help reduce reactivity and improve present-moment focus, useful for stress and parenting challenges.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, past attempts that did or did not help, and personal preferences. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan based on results and feedback.
Confirm the specific session formats before booking to know how sessions are delivered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around daily life, for example scheduling shorter check-ins on a work break or avoiding travel time. It can also allow a focus on in-the-moment practice at home, such as trying communication exercises between sessions. Discuss practical needs and timing during the first meeting to make a plan that fits everyday routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
North Carolina
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
Phyllis works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, parenting, depression, addictions, grief, intimacy issues, anger, self esteem, career challenges, bipolar, ADHD, and other related areas.
How would she describe her therapy style?
She uses a collaborative, strengths-based approach and combines practical skill work with discussion to identify goals and try different ways of responding.
How much experience does she have?
She has five years of clinical experience working with adults and adults in relationships in North Carolina.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is an LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - licensed in North Carolina.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Confirm current session options before booking to make sure the offered formats meet your needs.
How are sessions paid for and how do I start?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To start, select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is for adults and is not emergency care, mediation or legal advice. If you or a child are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.