Therapist profile
Jerry Smith, LCSW, CSW
LCSW - Family and parenting, addictions
Continue with JerryAbout
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Homework between sessions
About Jerry
Jerry Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Georgia with 38 years of experience. He lists stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and family concerns, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy issues, eating and sleeping problems, parenting, anger, self esteem, career concerns, life changes, coaching, and ADHD among the areas he addresses.
He has worked across many settings over his career. That includes foster-care supports, services for people with developmental disabilities, geriatric clients in assisted living, psychiatric hospitals, outpatient mental health and substance use programs, and correctional facilities. He also spent twelve years teaching as an adjunct psychology professor.
His primary way of working uses Client-Centered Therapy. That means he focuses on what a person wants to change and follows the client’s lead when setting goals. He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help identify patterns of thinking and behavior that get in the way.
Sessions often include practical tasks between meetings. He describes homework as an important part of progress and expects clients to try exercises outside sessions. Communication in sessions is direct and goal-focused to help people identify stuck points and next steps.
People who come to him are typically looking for clear, down-to-earth help with family and parenting strains, addiction-related concerns, mood and anxiety issues, grief, or changes tied to aging or life transitions. He works in English and practices in Georgia.
How sessions work
How his approaches work for online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s own goals and priorities. In practice that means the therapist listens for what matters most to the client and helps shape sessions around those aims. This approach can help with relationship and parenting strains where personal priorities need clarifying.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thinking and behavior that keep problems going. CBT provides straightforward exercises to try between meetings, which can help with anxiety, depression, addictions, sleep, and anger. Those tasks are concrete and measurable, and they give people ways to notice change over time.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Jerry will collaborate with each person to decide which techniques fit their goals and preferences. That means adjusting the balance of client-centered conversation and CBT exercises as needed.
The practical benefits of online sessions include fitting therapy into a busy life and reducing travel time. Because the biography does not specify session delivery formats, confirm available session options before booking. Online work still allows for spoken conversation, structured CBT exercises, and homework review, which can make it easier to keep momentum between meetings.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
38+ years
Listed in
Georgia
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What issues does he address related to family life?
He lists family, parenting, blended family issues, fatherhood issues, and family problems as part of his focus areas. He helps people talk through those practical concerns.
What is his general therapy style?
He works in a Client-Centered way and uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques. That means sessions follow the client’s goals while also identifying thoughts and behaviors to work on.
How many years has he practiced?
He has 38 years of experience working in multiple mental health and related settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
He is an LCSW and CSW licensed in Georgia and practices in Georgia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can people outside the United States work with him?
He does not accept international clients.
How are sessions billed?
Cost varies with location and services use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.