- Practical emotional support
- Flexible treatment plans
- School and mood expertise
About Jennifer
Jennifer Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 23 years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and major life changes. She guides people through parenting strain, mood disorders, and issues related to identity and relationships. Her approach is warm and practical and aimed at helping people feel more capable day to day.
She began with a BA in Psychology from Ithaca College and worked in a psychiatric hospital doing testing, co-leading groups, and intake work. Jennifer then earned a Master of Social Work from Adelphi University and spent time in the New York City Early Intervention Program. Later she worked in community mental health settings in New York and New Jersey, supporting people with many different needs.
Today she serves as Clinical Director at a small therapeutic school for grades 6-12 in Central New Jersey. That role has deepened her experience with anxiety, school avoidance, OCD, mood disorders, eating issues, gender identity questions, attachment concerns, self-harm, and trauma-related problems. She also supports people facing caregiver stress, abandonment wounds, communication struggles, and infertility-related distress.
Jennifer believes no single method fits everyone. She listens first, learns each person's goals, and blends techniques to match the situation. Expect a flexible, nonjudgmental space where practical strategies and emotional support come together.
She typically answers messages and emails in the afternoons up to about 7pm and is not available on weekends. To begin, follow the Start Therapy steps to match and schedule with her.
How her approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying values and taking small, meaningful steps toward them while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings. It can help with persistent stress, anxiety, and making life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to reduce unhelpful patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and mood regulation. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to relationship patterns and early bonds to improve current connection and trust in relationships, which can help with abandonment concerns and interpersonal problems.Choosing the right method is a collaborative process. Jennifer will learn about a person's needs and goals and then suggest a mix of techniques. Together they decide which approaches to try and adjust them as progress is made.
If you are considering online sessions, confirm the specific formats available before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, shorten travel time, allow check-ins during breaks, and offer sessions that focus on skill practice and coping strategies. Ask about scheduling options and typical session length when you match and book.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Credentials
New Jersey
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address related to work and wellbeing?
She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, burnout, and life changes that affect work and daily functioning.
What therapeutic style does she use in sessions?
She blends approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, attachment-based work, and client-centered techniques to fit each person's goals.
How long has she worked in mental health?
She has 23 years of clinical experience across hospitals, early intervention programs, community mental health, and educational settings.
Where does she practice and what is her credential?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in New Jersey with a background as a clinical director at a therapeutic school.
Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are offered?
Confirm current session options before booking to learn which formats are available for scheduling with her.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.