ChangeAtYourPace.org Need help now?

Therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp. We will earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you use our links to purchase.

David Smith

David Smith

LMHC

Iowa

Practical, action-focused counseling for change

Continue with David

At a glance

Credentials
LMHC
License
LMHC, Iowa / 00254
Experience
25 years
Languages
English
Location
Iowa

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

    • Action oriented
    • Motivational focus
    • Practical steps

    About David

    David Smith is an Iowa-licensed mental health counselor with 25 years of experience. He helps people who are feeling stuck and want to move toward more satisfying daily life. He works with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, anger, depression, and major life transitions.

    David describes his style as accessible, empathetic, pragmatic, and action-oriented. He focuses on practical steps you can try between sessions. He treats individuals and couples and believes clients bring key strengths to the work.

    In sessions he assesses what is getting in the way of change and helps people consider different ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. He uses a mix of techniques rather than a single method, drawing on motivational and cognitive-behavioral ideas among others. Goal setting and small experiments are common parts of his work.

    Over his career he has supported people dealing with family of origin concerns, communication problems, commitment and control issues, divorce and separation, and issues around fatherhood. He also has experience with substance-related problems, first responder stress, guilt and shame, and concerns connected to aging and geriatric change.

    David expects therapy to be a two-way process. He checks in about progress and asks for feedback about how sessions are going. That shared approach aims to keep therapy practical and focused on the changes a person wants to make.

  2. How therapy approaches fit into online care

    Motivational Interviewing focuses on drawing out a person's own reasons for change and building motivation. It helps when someone feels unsure about changing habits or tackling difficult choices. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and commit to actions that match their values. It is often useful for anxiety, low mood, and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental listening stance where the person leads the conversation and the therapist reflects and supports exploration.

    Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the person to identify goals, try different strategies, and adjust the plan based on what feels most helpful. That means approaches may be mixed or shifted over time to suit changing needs and preferences.

    Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, such as fitting a meeting during a lunch break or avoiding travel time. Before booking, confirm which session formats are available so you know how meetings will be conducted. The emphasis is on practical, usable work that can be continued between sessions and adapted to everyday routines.

  4. Areas of expertise

    Primary focus

    Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changes

    Additional focus areas

    Aging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksSelf-loveSex addictionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

    Therapeutic approaches

    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySystemic Therapy

    Experience

    25+ years

    Listed in

    Iowa

    Languages

    English

  5. Frequently asked questions

    What kinds of concerns does he help with?

    He works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, anger, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional areas include family problems, substance issues, first responder stress, and aging-related concerns.

    What is his therapeutic style like?

    He takes an accessible, pragmatic, and action-focused approach. Sessions often include goal setting, small experiments, and planning steps to try between meetings.

    How much experience does he have?

    He has 25 years of professional experience working in mental health and counseling settings.

    What credentials and location apply?

    He is an LMHC licensed in Iowa and practices from that state.

    Which languages are supported?

    Sessions are offered in English, and international clients are accepted.

    What session formats are available?

    Please confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered for your situation.

    How does payment and cost work?

    Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

    How do I begin working with him?

    Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

  6. Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

Back to all therapists

David Smith Continue with David