- Practical coping skills
- Strengths-based support
- Work and wellbeing
About Alia
Alia Smith is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) practicing in California. She draws on 15 years of clinical experience to help people facing stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar challenges, and struggles with addiction. She emphasizes a respectful, down-to-earth approach and sees the person, not just the problem.
Alia centers sessions on the client’s own story and strengths. She listens first, then helps people name what matters to them. Together they set practical goals for coping with life changes, managing ADHD, and building self-esteem and motivation.
Her work includes addressing trauma and abuse, relationship strain, and a wide range of emotional concerns such as panic, dissociation, and feelings of emptiness. She also supports people dealing with eating and substance-related issues, codependency, and family problems.
Alia uses approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to shape sessions. She tailors tools to daily life so clients can practice new skills between meetings.
People who meet with her can expect practical, straightforward conversations about next steps. She guides clients through change at a pace that feels manageable and focuses on building long-term coping skills.
How specific approaches support online work and wellbeing
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them. It supports making choices based on personal values, which can be useful for coping with life changes, addiction, and low motivation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with real-life experiments to reduce anxiety and depressive patterns. It often includes clear homework to try between sessions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving relationships, which can be helpful for intense mood swings and self-destructive behaviors.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Alia collaborates with each person to pick and adapt methods that fit their goals and daily life. She expects the plan to shift over time based on what helps and what doesn’t, so clients share feedback and guide decisions about techniques.
Confirm current session formats before booking, since specific online or in-person options are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy around a job or family demands, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people practice coping strategies in the contexts where they live and work, which can speed learning and make skills more usable in everyday situations.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Alia address?
She helps with anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, stress, addictions, trauma, low self-esteem, ADHD, and relationship challenges, among other areas listed in her focus areas.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
The style is collaborative and person-centered, focusing on the client’s story and strengths while using practical techniques to manage symptoms and build skills.
What background and experience does she bring?
She holds a California LMFT credential and has 15 years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is licensed in California as an LMFT and conducts work from that location.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist’s availability.