Rochelle Smith, LMFT - Therapist in California

Client-centered approach
CBT for thought patterns
DBT and mindfulness

About Rochelle

Rochelle Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, California LMFT, with 12 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, trauma, relationship strain, parenting struggles, anger, ADHD, and related concerns.

She uses straightforward conversation to help people understand what keeps problems going. Sessions focus on practical steps and clearer thinking alongside attention to emotions and relationships. Rochelle draws on client-centered work and cognitive-behavioral strategies to identify unhelpful patterns and try small changes in daily life.

Rochelle also uses dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness approaches to teach emotion regulation and coping skills. These tools are aimed at lowering reactivity, reducing overwhelm, and improving communication. Motivational interviewing is used when someone wants help sorting out mixed feelings about change.

In a typical meeting she listens, reflects what she hears, and suggests exercises to practice between sessions. She helps people spot triggers for anger or avoidance and then builds step-by-step skills to respond differently. Conversations can include role plays, thought records, and brief behavioral experiments to test new ways of acting.

Her background includes supporting people who have experienced childhood or adult trauma, people managing chronic conditions, and those handling relationship and parenting pressures. Rochelle explains options clearly and works with each person to choose practical next steps. To begin, prospective clients follow the site process to match and schedule a first meeting.

How Rochelle’s approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting back what the person says. Online sessions can use that same focused listening to help someone talk through triggers, relationship moments, and patterns that lead to anger.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions. In sessions Rochelle uses CBT techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and try small behavioral experiments to test new responses. This helps with anxiety, anger, and mood concerns.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness teach skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance. These methods provide concrete exercises for managing intense feelings, improving communication, and reducing reactivity.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Rochelle will discuss what feels useful and adjust methods based on goals and preferences. That conversation is collaborative and practical, aimed at choosing tools that fit daily life.

Confirm the therapist's current session options before booking, since formats are not listed in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. Discussing which exercises to practice between meetings helps therapy connect to real-world moments.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesDepression

Also works with

Family conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issues ForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImpulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness JealousyLife purposeMidlife crisis Money and financial issues Mood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

12+ years

Listed in

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

Rochelle works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, relationship and parenting issues, anger, ADHD, and related areas listed on her profile.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is interactive and practical. She listens, reflects, and suggests exercises to try between sessions.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 12 years of experience working as a therapist in multiple areas including trauma and mood concerns.

What are her credentials and where does she practice?

She is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, listed as CA LMFT, and practices from California.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English only.

What session formats are offered?

Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats.

How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?

Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What do I do to begin working together?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.