- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practices
- First responder focus
About Rebecca
Rebecca Phelps-Smith is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Massachusetts with 15 years of experience. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and other challenges that make day-to-day life harder.
She helps people who struggle with self-esteem, body image, disordered eating, substance use, and sleep problems. She also supports those coping with grief, trauma and PTSD, and the fallout from high-stress jobs. Her work includes attention to ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, and panic symptoms.
Rebecca uses practical, evidence-informed approaches so sessions stay focused on what matters to the client. She draws on client-centered methods to listen and clarify goals. She uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and build alternatives.
Her background includes extensive experience in emergency services, crisis intervention, and suicide risk assessment. That experience informs how she helps people manage strong emotions and develop clearer coping plans. It also shapes her understanding of the effects of vicarious trauma.
Rebecca has a particular interest in supporting law enforcement, first responders, and professionals in high-stress roles. She works with individuals from those backgrounds to develop coping skills, manage work-related stress, and process difficult experiences.
People who choose to work with her can expect focused conversations, practical strategies, and attention to patterns that keep problems going. To start, clients are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session to set priorities and goals.
Approaches used in remote sessions
Rebecca often combines client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy. Client-centered work focuses on listening closely, clarifying what matters most, and setting collaborative goals. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at patterns of thinking and behavior, and teaches practical skills to reduce intense emotions and change unhelpful cycles.She may also draw on mindfulness practices to help with stress and strong emotions, teaching simple attention and breathing skills that can reduce reactivity. These approaches are useful for anger, anxiety, sleep problems, and work-related stress, and they allow sessions to stay focused and concrete.
Choosing the right approach is part of the process. She will work with each person to figure out which methods fit their goals and preferences. That decision is collaborative and can change as work progresses.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, shorten commute time, and allow for brief check-ins when a full in-person visit would be harder to arrange. Speak to the matching process to learn which session formats are offered and which will suit everyday life best.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts, Washington
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and related concerns such as disordered eating, substance use, and grief.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a blend of client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral work, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic ideas to keep sessions practical and goal-focused.
How long has she practiced?
She has 15 years of clinical experience across a range of settings, including emergency services and crisis work.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds an MA and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Massachusetts.
Will sessions be in English or other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can I work with her from another country?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.